Over the past two months, a tragic toll of 33 lives has been claimed in Plateau State due to the collapse of mining sites in various local communities.
Pam Daniel, the Secretary of the Plateau Indigenous Miners Association in Barkin Ladi LGA, revealed this distressing information during an interview held in Jos on Sunday, as part of an event that brought together artisanal miners and farmers in the area.
Daniel expressed deep concern about the recurring collapses of mining sites in Barkin Ladi communities, highlighting the imminent threat this posed, especially to the youth in the region.
He urged the government to step in and address the situation, emphasizing the need for heightened awareness among the population to combat this alarming trend.
He explained, “Mining site collapses are unfortunately not uncommon in Barkin Ladi communities due to the integral role mining plays in the livelihood of our people. Just a few weeks ago, in August, a mining site in Hwol Gassa community collapsed.
Tragically, seven individuals lost their lives, three sustained injuries and were hospitalized. The exact number of people inside the collapsed site remains unknown, but a community register later revealed that 33 individuals were unaccounted for, suspected to be buried beneath the rubble. Regrettably, incidents like these often go unreported in rural areas, adding to the complexity of the situation.”
Furthermore, Daniel lamented the adverse impact of mining on education, stating, “Many children in Barkin Ladi communities no longer attend school due to the allure of mining.
This trend hinders our society’s growth and development. Despite substantial annual budgets allocated to mining, artisanal miners like us do not reap the benefits. Therefore, we implore the government to assist us, either with financial support to enhance our operations or by providing essential equipment to mitigate the inherent dangers of mining.”
The Plateau Youth Climate Justice and Accountability Initiative, represented by Daniel Mark and Opeyemi Osarumwense, organized the stakeholder engagement to assess and address the challenges faced by the mining community.
They emphasized the importance of climate justice and sustainable mining practices, advocating for reclamation efforts after mining to restore the environment.
The paramount ruler of Barkin Ladi, Edward Gyang Bot, expressed gratitude to the non-governmental organization for their efforts, believing that the right actions in mining communities would lead to a happier and better society.
