The Federal Government has ordered the closure of areas covered by Mining Licence 11810 in the Wase Local Government of Plateau State, following the deaths of villagers allegedly mining in a pit containing gaseous emissions.
The Ministry of Solid Minerals Development said this on Wednesday, saying the minister, Dele Alake has dispatched a team of officials and investigators to probe the remote and immediate causes of the incident and recommend sanctions.
Alake also condoled with Plateau state Governor Caleb Mutfwang, over the loss of the innocent citizens who died while trying to earn a living.
Reports say the area where the villagers were mining, was an abandoned lead site with the stored mineral prone to emissions of sulphuric oxide. The pit was given to the villagers to mine following their agitations for empowerment
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