By Jane Salihu
The Senate has directed the Federal Government to implement comprehensive safety reforms in Nigeria’s mining sector following a landslide that killed 20 artisanal miners in Ankpa Local Government Area of Kogi State on July 14.
The upper chamber adopted a motion of urgent national importance sponsored by Senator Isah Jibrin (APC, Kogi East) to address escalating casualties in coal mining communities.
The July 14 incident at Alufele in Enjema District trapped miners underground, while heavy-duty trucks sank into unstable mining pits during loading operations.
Jibrin identified unsafe extraction methods as a primary cause, particularly the room-and-pillar system used without adequate structural reinforcement and poorly-sited loading points near unstable pits.
He also highlighted that artisanal miners—many operating without formal employment status—lack health, life and occupational hazard insurance, leaving accident victims and families without compensation or support.
The Senate directed the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development to conduct a nationwide audit of licensed miners and operational sites to strengthen regulatory monitoring.
It also mandated the establishment of a compulsory occupational accident insurance scheme for all mining categories and a statutory Mining Workers’ Compensation Fund to cover injuries, disabilities, occupational diseases and deaths.
Additionally, the chamber called for creation of a Mine Rehabilitation and Victims Support Fund to provide emergency medical care, rehabilitation, compensation, educational support for children of deceased miners and livelihood assistance for affected families.
The Senate’s Committees on Solid Minerals Development, Environment, and Labour were tasked with engaging relevant agencies to implement the resolutions and report back within six weeks.
The chamber observed a minute’s silence for the 20 miners who died in the Alufele incident.
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