PLATEAU STATE, Nigeria — At least 37 miners have died after a toxic gas leak at an illegal mining site in Wase Local Government Area, prompting national concern over the safety risks posed by unregulated extractive operations.
Authorities say carbon monoxide and other poisonous fumes enveloped workers in poorly ventilated tunnels, forcing a halt to mining activities and triggering emergency responses. The Federal Government has ordered the suspension of mining operations in the area and launched a formal investigation into the tragedy.
Illegal mining — particularly in Plateau State, known historically for mineral extraction — has long been beset by safety challenges, with operations often lacking the regulatory oversight, protective equipment, and emergency infrastructure required to prevent such disasters.
This incident has renewed scrutiny on the enforcement of mining laws and occupational safety standards across Nigeria’s burgeoning artisanal and small-scale mining sector. Labour unions and advocacy groups are calling for stricter enforcement mechanisms, improved training for miners, and the formalization of informal mining to reduce the human toll of hazardous work.
Plateau State officials confirmed that victims are being treated in local hospitals, while families of the deceased demand accountability and compensation, adding pressure on regulatory agencies to clamp down on unsafe mining practices nationwide.
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