(Mining Accident. Photo by Tribune Online)
Three artisanal miners have d!ed while two others lost consciousness following a mining incident in Riruwai, Doguwa Local Government Area of Kano State.
The incident occurred on Wednesday after fumes from a water-pumping machine reportedly filled a mining pit where the victims were working.
The deceased were identified as Haruna Usaini and Yusha’u Sale, both from Dan Isa community in Rimin Gado Local Government Area, and another miner identified simply as Danfuli from Daurawa in Doguwa LGA.
Speaking to an online news platform, an eyewitness, Salisu Abdulhamid, said the tragedy occurred after workers attempted to drain water that had accumulated in the pit following heavy rainfall.
He explained that heavy rain had fallen the previous night, flooding the mining pit and forcing work to be suspended, and that a new water-pumping machine was brought in the following day to remove the water before work could resume.
He said the machine emitted fumes that filled the pit, causing the d£aths of three people while two others collapsed, adding that those who d!ed included Yusha’u and another man from Daurawa.
A relative of one of the victims, Basiru Sale, said the family was in deep grief over the loss of his younger brother, Yusha’u Sale.
Speaking tearfully, he said his brother was from the same parents, and that the family could only pray that Allah forgives him.
He explained that his brother had travelled to Doguwa for the mining work just seven days earlier, adding that the last time he saw him alive was before he left, and that it was now his body being brought back home.
Family members said Haruna Usaini and Yusha’u Sale would be buried on Thursday in Dan Isa community, Rimin Gado Local Government Area.
The latest incident has again drawn attention to safety concerns surrounding artisanal mining activities in Doguwa and neighbouring Tudun Wada Local Government Areas, where many youths from across Kano State travel in search of work.
Investigations indicate that many mining sites in the area operate without the required licences.
During an inspection in June, a Kano State government delegation led by the state revenue agency raised concerns over widespread illegal mining activities and the absence of proper safety standards.
The team also shut down several mining companies allegedly operating without licences.
As of the time of filing this report, neither the Kano State Ministry of Solid Minerals nor the Kano State Police Command had issued an official statement on the incident.
