At least 37 miners died of carbon monoxide poisoning at a mining site in Kampani, a community in the Wase area of Plateau state, Nigeria. The incident occurred around 5:45 am, and 25 other miners were hospitalized, according to a police source and a security report seen by Reuters.
The area is described as an abandoned lead site with stored minerals that can release toxic gases. Villagers reportedly entered the tunnel to extract minerals and inhaled the emissions, according to Nigeria’s Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake.
Alake ordered the closure of mining areas covered by licence 11810, operated by Solid Unit Nigeria Limited and owned by Abdullahi Dan‑China in Zuraq, after the deaths were confirmed. Preliminary findings indicate victims aged 20 to 35 died underground from the gas exposure.
A Plateu state government statement said many were feared dead and others were receiving treatment in nearby hospitals, with security forces cordoning off the site to prevent access. Nigeria faces widespread illegal mining and limited safety measures in many operations.
Contexto sobre mineração no país
- O governo federal ordenou a suspensão imediata de todas as atividades de mineração na área afetada para investigação.
- A prática de mineração ilegal é comum no país, com riscos de emissões perigosas e falta de equipamentos de proteção.
- Autoridades destacam a necessidade de fortalecer fiscalização e medidas de segurança para trabalhadores.
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