It Could Have Been Avoided” – Fayemi Speaks On Tragic Mining Site Where 37 Died

Former Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi, has extended his condolences to the families of the 37 miners who tragically lost their lives at a mining site in Plateau State.

The miners died after being exposed to carbon monoxide while working in an underground facility in Zurak, Wase LGA, last week. Over 25 others were hospitalized, prompting the federal government to order the closure of the mining site.

In a statement shared on on Sunday, Fayemi, who served as Minister of Solid Minerals Development from 2015 to 2018 under the late President Muhammadu Buhari, noted that the mining site had been shut down during his tenure. He lamented that the tragedy could have been prevented if the site had remained closed.

Fayemi recalled visiting the Zurak mine in 2017 alongside then-National Security Adviser, Babagana Monguno, following repeated complaints from the community. At the time, he ordered the immediate closure of the site and the arrest of illegal Chinese operators.

He explained that the alleged owner of the mine, identified as “Alhaji Dan China,” was declared wanted, arrested, and later released after Fayemi left office.

Fayemi stated:
“As minister of mines, I visited the mines with the NSA and the governor following numerous complaints from the community. We embargoed mining at the sites, arrested the illegal Chinese operators, and declared the purported owner of the illegal lead and zinc mines, Alhaji Dan China, wanted. He was eventually apprehended and brought to book by the National Security Adviser, but was released after I left office. My preliminary discussions with Ministry officials, as well as with the former Deputy Speaker and Wase representative in the House of Representatives, Rt Hon Idris Wase, indicate that this tragedy occurred at the same mine. It could have been avoided if security agencies had maintained the action taken by the Ministry in 2017.”

He added his heartfelt condolences to the victims’ families and urged the government to take firm and decisive action against operators who violate laws and environmental regulations. Fayemi emphasized that mining activities must not harm host communities.