By Energy Worth
A cloud of grief has descended on the quiet Kadauri Community in Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State, after a mining pit collapsed Thursday night, trapping and killing several artisanal miners who had gone in search of daily sustenance.
So far, 10 bodies have been recovered, with more feared trapped beneath the rubble. Rescue teams, led by the Federal Government and supported by state officials and local volunteers, are still racing against time to find any possible survivors.
The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, in a statement issued Sunday, expressed deep sorrow over the incident, calling it a heartbreaking reminder of the dangers many Nigerians face while trying to earn a living through informal mining.
“This is an avoidable tragedy that has sadly claimed the lives of hardworking Nigerians. These were people trying to feed their families, and their lives were cut short due to unsafe practices and illegal operations,” he said.
According to reports, the collapse followed heavy rainfall and was linked to the activities of illegal miners, who often operate with little regard for safety or environmental standards. The minister explained that the area, rich in alluvial gold deposits, has seen a surge in such operations, drawing miners from various parts of the country with the promise of quick earnings.
Rescue workers have so far retrieved 13 individuals, none alive. Two more are believed to still be trapped. Their families continue to wait in anguish, hoping for a miracle.
“This is not just about numbers; each life lost is a father, a brother, or a son whose absence will forever leave a hole in the hearts of loved ones,” a local resident told reporters, his voice choked with emotion.
The Federal Government has pledged to fully investigate the circumstances surrounding the collapse. Alake also announced that the mining site would be sealed off once rescue efforts are complete, and that surveillance systems are being deployed to monitor mining sites across the country in real-time.
President Bola Tinubu’s administration, he added, is intensifying efforts to crack down on illegal mining, especially in volatile states like Zamfara, which has battled both insecurity and unregulated mining for years.
Still, for the families of those who died, such promises bring little comfort in the face of their loss.
“These were young men with dreams,” one grieving mother said quietly. “They went in that morning with hope. They didn’t come back.”
