Four Miners Die in Plateau Community as Mining Site Collapses

A mining site collapse in Dura community, Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State, has claimed the lives of four miners. The tragic incident occurred on Thursday night when the ground gave way, trapping individuals working inside the pit.

Eyewitnesses confirmed the development, with a resident, Chuwang Davou, telling The PUNCH on Friday that several people were caught in the collapse. “Yes, we have a tragic situation in Dura community. A mining site collapsed last night. I don’t know the casualty figure, but I can confirm that some people were inside the pit,” he said.

Providing further details, Solomon Dung, an aide to Governor Caleb Mutfwang on Artisanal Mining, explained that three of the victims died instantly while the fourth passed away in the hospital. “From what I was told, some boys were working in a mining pit, and the ground just collapsed on four of them. Three died instantly, and one later died in the hospital,” he stated.

Attempts to reach the Plateau State Police Command’s spokesman, Alabo Alfred, were unsuccessful, as his phone was switched off at the time of contact. The tragedy underscores the recurring dangers associated with artisanal mining in Plateau communities and the urgent need for stricter safety measures.

Coincidentally, on Thursday, the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) and the University of Jos urged miners and stakeholders to adopt modern and safer mining practices. Speaking at a two-day capacity-building workshop themed “Enhancing Safety, Sustainability, and Community Development in Mining,” PTDF Executive Secretary Ahmed Galadima and UNIJOS Vice Chancellor Professor Tanko Ishaya emphasized that adherence to global safety standards could help prevent such accidents and reduce insecurity in mining areas.