No fewer than three small-scale miners have died while 11 others were injured when a mining pit collapsed in Dan Kamfani, Anka Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
An eyewitness who works around the area and craved anonymity told Channels Television on Saturday that the incident occurred around 4:00p.m. on Thursday.
He stated that the number of casualties could not be confirmed due to the depth of the mining pit which is 275 metres deep.
The eyewitness added that the deceased were all from the Yar Tsabaya District in Anka LGA.
“The mining collapsed a few minutes to 4 p.m. on Thursday, we don’t know the exact number of people inside the mining pit, but three dead bodies were recovered, and 11 others are seriously wounded.
“The three people who died are from the Yar Tsabaya District of Anka Local Government. Up till now, we don’t have the actual figure of the people inside, and we cannot confirm the number of people because the mining pit is about 275 metres deep”, the witness said.
He disclosed that the injured were currently receiving treatment at the Anka General Hospital
Zamfara is rich in solid minerals which include gold, iron ore, limestone, and granite, among others.
Over the years, illegal mining in Zamfara State has fuelled banditry and other criminal activities.
The state governor, Dauda Lawal, on September 23, issued a ban on illegal mining activities and ordered law enforcement officials to take stringent action against violators.
Glitters on line
