The Senate Committee on Solid Minerals has raised serious concerns over recurring mining-related deaths in Plateau State, describing the incidents as avoidable tragedies linked to unsafe practices and poor regulation within the sector.
This development follows a deadly incident that claimed 37 lives at a mining site in Zurak, Wase Local Government Area, where several miners reportedly lost their lives while working in the community.
Addressing journalists in Jos, Senator Diket Satso Plang, a member of the committee, said the Senate is advocating mandatory insurance coverage for miners and intensified public safety awareness, stressing that protecting lives must take precedence over economic activities.
Speaking on the matter, Plang expressed deep concern over the loss of lives recorded in recent mining incidents, describing them as painful and unacceptable.
The senator noted that the issue had been thoroughly discussed at the Senate Committee on Solid Minerals, where members emphasized the need for stronger safeguards in the sector.
“For all mining activities, anyone invited to work in a mining site must be properly insured, so that if anything happens, there is a form of protection for the worker and his family,” Plang stated.
He stressed that beyond insurance, education and sensitization are critical to preventing further tragedies.
“We are very concerned about how people go into mining without adequate knowledge. There must be more education, more awareness, and more sensitization so that lives are not lost unnecessarily,” he said.
Senator Plang also warned against unsafe and unregulated mining practices, urging citizens to avoid entering mining pits without understanding the risks involved.
“People should not just walk into mining pits without knowing what can happen. Mining must be done legally and safely, with proper guidance,” he cautioned.
According to him, the Senate remains committed to working with relevant authorities to strengthen regulations and enforcement in the mining sector.
“Our responsibility is to ensure that economic activities do not come at the cost of human lives. Safety must always come first,” the senator added.
He assured that the Senate Committee on Solid Minerals would continue to engage stakeholders to promote safer mining practices and prevent further loss of lives across mining communities in the state.
