Zamfara State gold mine collapse death toll has risen to 13, as Nigerian government vows crackdown on illegal mining after deadly pit collapse that leaves two still trapped.
At least 13 miners have been confirmed dead after a mine pit collapsed in Jabaka village, Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State, Nigerian authorities said Sunday.
Two other miners remain trapped underground, as rescue operations continue. The federal government has deployed mines officers and first responders to the site, working alongside Zamfara State officials to recover the remaining victims.
Dr. Dele Alake, Nigeria’s Minister of Solid Minerals Development, described the collapse as “both avoidable and unfortunate,” vowing that the mine site would be sealed off once rescue efforts are complete.
“I received with deep shock the report of the unfortunate incident in Zamfara, which has unfortunately resulted in some casualties,” Alake said in a statement. “Our first responders have been mobilized to the site and are working with officials of the state government on rescue operations, after which the site will be sealed off.”
Preliminary investigations suggest the mine was being worked illegally using rudimentary tools, despite the unstable sandy terrain and the environmental hazards associated with the area’s gold deposits.
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Illegal mining has long plagued northern Nigeria, particularly in Zamfara State, where gold extraction is common. Unregulated operations often ignore safety standards, increasing the risk of collapses and landslides. The sector has also been linked to armed banditry and smuggling networks that fuel insecurity in the region.
The minister stressed that the government would intensify its crackdown on illegal mining. Over the past year, authorities have arrested more than 300 illegal miners across 10 states and shut down nearly 100 unauthorized sites through a specialized security task force known as the Mining Marshals.
Alake said the ministry is expanding the operations of the Mining Marshals, with additional personnel and logistical support, as well as rolling out satellite surveillance systems to monitor mining activities in real time nationwide.
“We will not relent until we rid this country of the nefarious activities of illegal miners,” Alake warned. “With satellite surveillance and other enforcement measures underway, we aim to drastically reduce mine collapses across the country and tighten the noose around sponsors of illegal mining.”
Rescue teams are racing against time to locate the two miners still missing, though hopes of finding survivors are fading. The government has promised a full investigation into the disaster once recovery operations are concluded.
