DEATH AND THE ARTISANAL MINERS

A recurring tragedy unfolded last Wednesday in Kassa community, Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State, Nigeria, where seven artisanal miners lost their lives when a mining pit collapsed on them. This incident echoes a similar disaster in February at Kampani Zurak community in Wase Local Government Area, which claimed the lives of 37 miners.

That earlier tragedy might have been preventable, according to former Minister of Solid Minerals Kayode Fayemi, if the mining site had remained sealed after the federal government's shutdown in 2017. Despite the inherent dangers, illegal mining persists across Nigeria, especially in the northern states, driven largely by hunger and desperation. Numerous mining pits have collapsed in the past year, trapping and killing dozens.

Artisanal mining constitutes approximately 80 percent of all mining activities in the country, yet the sector remains poorly defined. Industry experts point to ongoing confusion regarding the distinctions between illegal, unregulated, and informal mining. Zamfara State is identified as the epicenter of illegal mining, where armed gangs often control gold fields, contributing to violence and deadly accidents.

Government spokesman Mustapha Kaura estimates about 20,000 illegal miners, both domestic and foreign, operate in Zamfara's mining sites. He expressed concern that excessive rainfall could lead to further pit collapses. The nexus between unregulated mining, banditry, kidnappings, and community unrest is also a significant concern, with illicit revenues sometimes rivaling state budgets.

Beyond the human cost and environmental damage, Nigeria is losing billions annually to unregulated mining. An ad hoc committee of the House of Representatives estimated these losses at $9 billion per year. While the current administration has initiated reforms, including improving field officer mobility and organizing artisanal miners, the path to standardization and safety remains fraught with challenges.

“

There is need to do more to safeguard lives