FEDERAL government through the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, on Thursday, ordered the immediate closure of Mining Licence 11810 in Zuraq, Wase Local Government Area of Plateau State, following the tragic death of villagers who allegedly inhaled poisonous gaseous emissions while mining in an abandoned pit.
 The directive came after reports emerged that several villagers lost their lives while attempting to extract minerals from an abandoned lead site believed to contain sulphuric oxide emissions.
 
In a condolence call to governor Caleb Mutfwang, Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Dele Alake, sympathised with him over the loss of the innocent citizens who died while trying to earn a living.
 He urged the Governor to convey his deep sorrow and solidarity with the people of Wase over the irreparable loss.
 
To determine the immediate and remote causes of the incident, the Minister has dispatched a high-powered investigative team led by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Engr. Yusuf Yabo.
 According to the Minister, the team comprises officials and investigators, including experts in mining operations, environmental compliance and artisanal mining cooperatives.
 
Alake is personally coordinating the team and the support services to ensure effective management of the situation.
The actions were taken as preliminary reports indicated that the company ceded the pit where the incident took place to the community to mine following agitations by villagers for empowerment.
 
It was gathered that the area was an abandoned Lead site with the stored mineral prone to emissions of sulphuric oxide.
 Unaware of the poisonous nature of the emissions, the villagers reportedly engaged in extraction while inhaling the gaseous substance.
 
In a statement issued by the Minister’s Special Assistant on Media, Segun Tomori, it was disclosed that Mining Licence 11810 lies between longitudes 10.34.45 and 10.35.50, and latitudes 9.13.45 and 9.14.40.
 The Minister assured that further details would be made public as investigations progress, reiterating the Federal Government’s commitment to enforcing safety standards and preventing a recurrence of such tragic incidents in mining communities.