Three artisanal miners have died while two others lost consciousness following a mining incident in Riruwai, Doguwa Local Government Area of Kano State.
The incident occurred on Wednesday after fumes from a water-pumping machine reportedly filled a mining pit where the victims were working.
The deceased were identified as Haruna Usaini and Yusha’u Sale, both from Dan Isa community in Rimin Gado Local Government Area, and another miner identified simply as Danfuli from Daurawa in Doguwa LGA.
An eyewitness, Salisu Abdulhamid, said the tragedy happened after workers attempted to drain water that had accumulated in the pit following heavy rainfall.
Heavy rain fell the previous night and the mining pit became flooded, so work was suspended. The following day, a new water-pumping machine was brought in to remove the water before work could resume. The machine emitted fumes that filled the pit. The fumes caused the deaths of three people, while two others collapsed. Those who died included Yusha’u and another man from Daurawa,” he said.
A relative of one of the victims, Basiru Sale, said the family was in deep grief over the loss of his younger brother, Yusha’u Sale.
He was my younger brother from the same parents. We can only pray that Allah forgives him. He had travelled to Doguwa for this mining work just seven days ago. The last time I saw him alive was before he left, and now it is his body that has been brought back,” he said tearfully.
Family members said Haruna Usaini and Yusha’u Sale would be buried on Thursday in Dan Isa community, Rimin Gado Local Government Area.
The latest incident has again drawn attention to safety concerns surrounding artisanal mining activities in Doguwa and neighbouring Tudun Wada Local Government Areas, where many youths from across Kano State travel in search of work.
Investigations indicate that many mining sites in the area operate without the required licences.
During an inspection in June, a Kano State government delegation led by the state revenue agency raised concerns over widespread illegal mining activities and the absence of proper safety standards.
The team also shut down several mining companies allegedly operating without licences.
As of the time of filing this report, neither the Kano State Ministry of Solid Minerals nor the Kano State Police Command had issued an official statement on the incident.
