Six out of the 20 persons trapped inside mining pits in Galkogo village, Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger state Monday afternoon have been rescued alive.
Efforts were still on as at the time of this report, Wednesday evening to rescue the remaining 14 miners said to be working for, Africa Minerals and Logistics Ltd, the mining company operating in the area.
The update is contained in a press statement from the state Ministry of Mineral Resources, signed by the Information Officer, Dibie Maureen.
The Ministry’s team on assessment of the Collapsed Mining site in Galkogo village, Galadima Kogo District according to the statement visited the site for on-the-spot assessment of the situation, adding that so far only one death is recorded.
The team was led by the Commissioners, Alhaji Garba Sabo Yahaya Ministry of Mineral Resources, his Homeland Security counterpart and their management teams including Permanent Secretaries and Directors from the two ministries, the State Commissioner of Police and his team.
The Permanent Secretary Ministry of Miniral Resources, Alhaji Yunusa Mohammed Nahauni, who spoke to journalists on behalf of Commissioner blamed the disaster partly due to lack of compliance with mining guidelines and as well lack of synergy between the mining company and the district head of the affected community.
Nahauni said, “This lack of coordination arose due to the Governor’s directive to suspend all mining activities in the state and crack down on illegal miners, prompted by increasing security concerns in the affected area.”
“The Governor had through the ministry issued letters to all the Emirate Councils instructing them accordingly”, Nahauni said emphasizing the need for all approved mining companies to adhere to the Governor’s order, warning that failure to do so would result in penalties.
The collapse, according to the Admin Manager of the mining company occurred due to hanging walls within the mining site.
He gave the names of the miners still trapped as at Wednesday evening as follows;
1. Abdullahi Yahaya
2. Ibrahim Mansir
3. Abubakar Isah
4. Friday Musa
5. Godwin Hussaini
6. Benjamin Ashafa
7. Zayyanu Ibrahim
8. Abdul Ali
9. Hamza Musa
10. Umar Abubakar
11. Joseph Madaki
12. Ibrahim I. Ishiaku Kuta
13. Abbas Musa
14. Yakubu Mamman.
•INDEPENDENTNG.