Just two weeks after a tragic mine collapse in Shiroro, Niger State that trapped over 50 miners, another collapse occurred on Thursday, resulting in the deaths of three miners and injuring one. This latest incident took place at an illegal gold mining site in Bazakwoi, Adunu Community, within the Paikoro Local Government Area. The state Ministry of Mineral Resources announced on Thursday that rescue efforts were still ongoing for the miners trapped in the Shiroro mine. However, they lamented the lack of assistance from multinational rescue firms.
The Director-General of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), Abdullahi Baba-Arah, confirmed the latest incident. He reported that no miners were trapped in the Bazakwoi collapse, so there was no need for a search and rescue operation.
“NSEMA has received a report of a mining pit collapse in Bazakwoi, Adunu community, in Paikoro LGA. The incident involved local miners illegally mining gold. Three people are confirmed dead, and one person was rescued with injuries. No one was trapped, so no rescue operation was needed,” Baba-Arah stated.
Meanwhile, a committee from the Ministry of Mineral Resources has been reassessing the Shiroro mine, operated by African Minerals and Logistics Limited. Their report indicated that rescue efforts were still underway for the trapped miners. They expressed disappointment over the absence of multinational rescue teams, leaving the company management to rely on the supervision and support of the Niger State Ministry of Mineral Resources.
“It is unfortunate that no multinational rescue teams are present at the Shiroro mine site. The company’s management is left on their own with the Niger State Ministry of Mineral Resources providing supervision and monitoring of the rescue operation,” the committee report noted.
In a tragic twist, the families of the miners trapped in Shiroro have begun to accept the likelihood that their loved ones may not be rescued. A government official, speaking anonymously, revealed that some families had conducted prayers for the deceased.
“The Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development and the mining company are using artisanal miners for the rescue efforts, which are being done manually. Some families held a seven-day Fidau prayer on Monday, believing their relatives have likely died,” the official disclosed.
