A mining expert from the Earth Sciences Department at Anchor University, Lagos, Dr. Johnson Kayode Ayeni, yesterday, warned that over 1,260 dangerous open mine pits exist across the federation, worsening the country’s growing mining crisis.
  
It has been noted that the lack of mining education, inadequate equipment, and poor safety awareness among artisanal miners were key factors contributing to the hazardous conditions.
  
Speaking with The Guardian, Ayeni stated that the situation poses severe risks to miners, local communities, and the environment. The expert warned that artisanal underground mining has become increasingly dangerous, with geological hazards frequently leading to mine collapses and fatalities. 
 
He explained that while some of these hazards were natural geological occurrences, they could be monitored and mitigated through regular geological and geotechnical assessments.
 
Ayeni emphasised that artisanal underground mining was increasingly dangerous, with geological hazards frequently leading to mine collapses and fatalities.
He said: “Artisanal underground mining in Nigeria poses significant hazards to both miners and the environment, as indicated by the Nigerian Ministry of Mines and Steel Development (MMSD). 
  
“The lack of basic mining education, inadequate equipment, and ignorance of associated hazards among artisanal miners have led to the creation of 1,260 dangerous open mine pits across the country.” 

“Out of these, 100 are classified as most critical, demanding immediate attention and remediation. Most of the mine geological hazards and recurring mine collapses within artisanal underground mining are attributable to natural forces or geological factors that produce sudden movements, which may result in landslides, rock slides, rock falls, rock busts, roof collapses, groundwater bursts and gas outbursts. 
 
“These geohazards can lead to major disasters involving loss of life and damage to mine infrastructures and equipment. While natural events like earthquakes cannot be easily predicted, other natural hazards can be identified by regular geological and geotechnical mapping, or monitoring of mine walls and openings.”
  
The expert stressed the need for improved occupational safety practices among artisanal miners, adding that enforcement of safety regulations and proper training was essential to reducing accidents and fatalities.
 
 Reacting to the concerns, Segun Tomori, Special Assistant on Media to the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to addressing the environmental and safety risks posed by the nation’s numerous open mine pits.