In response to the recent collapse of a mining site in Niger State that resulted in the deaths of three miners, the Nigerian federal government has announced its intention to revoke the mining licence of a mining company.
Dr. Dele Alake, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, communicated this decision through his Special Assistant on Media, Segun Tomori, in a statement released on Saturday in Abuja.
The collapse occurred in Adunu community in Niger State, as reported by NewsNow.
Alake provided an update on the incident, stating that the owners of the licensed land units had engaged in illegal mining activities and would consequently forfeit their titles.
According to preliminary investigations, the collapsed mine was situated in an area covered by Exploration Licence 43113, which had been granted to Jurassic Mines Limited in Adunu Village, Paikoro Local Government Area, Niger State.
It was discovered that the miners had been operating without authorization for mining activities, as they were only permitted an exploration licence allowing them to assess the site’s suitability for mineral exploration.
Alake, addressing the ministry’s response, confirmed the reception of news about the accident at approximately 4:45 pm on Thursday, where three individuals lost their lives due to a gold mining tunnel collapse at the site. He further revealed that investigations showed the miners had been operating unlawfully.
In his statement, Alake mentioned, “The ministry quickly deployed its mine officers, who reached the site by 6:15 pm. Upon arrival, officials discovered that three individuals had died in the incident and had already been buried.”
He added, “Upon inspection, work had ceased at the site, with only spectators present. The site’s coordinates were recorded, and officials returned to Minna by around 8:30 pm. The company owners were contacted via phone, where they claimed ignorance of the events at the site. They were subsequently summoned to the office in the state capital.”
NewsNow recollects that on June 4, one individual lost their life after 30 miners were trapped at a site in Niger State.