TIG Post

Tag: Gold miners

  • Several gold miners trapped underground in Nigeria, rescue efforts underway

    Several gold miners trapped underground in Nigeria, rescue efforts underway

    Numerous gold miners find themselves trapped underground following a collapse in a central Nigerian mine shaft.

    The incident occurred on Monday amidst heavy rainfall in Niger state, although news dissemination was delayed due to the nation’s widespread strike, which concluded on Tuesday.

    Hussaini Ibrahim, spokesperson for the Niger state emergency service agency, informed the BBC that one fatality had been confirmed, and it is estimated that over 30 individuals remain trapped as rescue operations persist.

    Authorities attribute the collapse to the deluge of rain, which softened the ground. “As of this morning [Wednesday], we estimate that over 30 people are still trapped; precise figures are unavailable as even those on-site are uncertain,” stated Mr. Ibrahim.

    “One fatality has been confirmed, and six individuals were rescued and transported to the hospital.” He disclosed that four excavators and rescue personnel are presently on-site, endeavoring to extricate those trapped.

    Nigeria’s Minister of Solid Minerals, Dele Alake, announced that Mines Inspectorate officials had been dispatched to the Galadima Kogo mining site. “Rest assured, we will investigate the causes of this catastrophe to prevent its recurrence and ensure the safety of all Nigerians,” he affirmed in a statement.

    Niger state is notorious for criminal activity, particularly kidnappings perpetrated by gangs. Last year, mining operations were prohibited in the Shiroro area, where the mine collapsed, and surrounding regions due to security and safety concerns.

    The state official reassured that additional security measures were implemented to safeguard rescue personnel from potential abductions.

    Mining mishaps are frequent in Nigeria, often involving unregistered miners and going unreported. In January, a fatal explosion occurred in Ibadan, claiming two lives and injuring 77 others. The Oyo state government attributed the incident to explosives hoarded by illegal miners.

  • “Race against time” to rescue labourers from mine in Turkey

    “Race against time” to rescue labourers from mine in Turkey

    Many rescuers are still looking for nine gold miners who disappeared after a landslide in eastern Turkey.

    About 10 million cubic meters of dirt fell from a gulley onto the Copler mine site on Tuesday.

    Four people, including the manager of the pit, have been taken into custody for investigation.

    There is also worry that harmful chemicals could escape from the area and cause a bigger environmental problem.

    Former Turkish leader Binali Yildirim went to the mine and said that some workers got away when the ground fell, but they can’t find nine workers.

    “Mr Yildirim said that despite a big effort to act quickly, the conditions are not good for us to help because the incident is very serious. ”

    Five workers are trapped in a container, three in a vehicle, and one in his truck at a different part of the site.

    The Copler mine is one of Turkey’s biggest and is in Erzincan province, about 90km from the provincial capital Erzincan and over 600km east of Ankara.

    While trying to rescue people, officials are also working to calm fears that cyanide and many other chemicals used in gold mining could move from the site into the nearby Euphrates River. This river goes into Syria and Iraq before flowing into the Persian Gulf.

    Turkey’s environmental ministry is checking the Euphrates River for chemicals. They have not found any pollution yet.

    The pipes that carry water from the stream to the river have been closed for safety.

    Mehmet Torun, who used to be the president of the Chamber of Mining Engineers, told the BBC in Turkey that they warned about the gold mine many times.

    Mr Torun said that a gold mine in Erzincan is very dangerous because it is close to an active fault line and only 300m away from the Euphrates River.

    He said it was a really bad thing for the environment.

    We are actually putting harmful substances into the river that has been supplying water to Mesopotamia for many centuries.

    I want to think there is no leakage, but I’m not sure how sure we can be.

    Binali Yildirim said the chemicals were kept in a different place from where the landslide occurred.

    The group of Turkish engineers and architects, including the Chamber of Mining Engineers, want the Copler mine to be closed forever.

    Attempts were made in 2022 to close it down after a poison gas leaked.

    Anagold Mining company got a big fine of 16. 5 million Turkish lira (£428,000; $536,000) for breaking rules. But they can still keep the mine open.

    SSR Mining, which partly owns Anagold, stopped making gold at the site after a landslide on Tuesday.

    SSR’s shares, which are bought and sold on the New York and Toronto Stock Exchanges, went down by more than half in value on Tuesday.

    In the past few years, there have been many accidents in Turkish mines. In 2022, 42 people died in a coal mine explosion.

  • More than 40 artisanal gold miners perish in shaft collapse

    More than 40 artisanal gold miners perish in shaft collapse

    Mali’s mines ministry reported a devastating incident last week, where more than 40 artisanal gold miners lost their lives after a collapsed shaft in southwest Mali.

    The tragic event highlights the risks associated with artisanal mining, a prevalent activity in West Africa, driven by increased demand for metals and rising prices.

    Artisanal miners often employ outdated and unregulated digging methods, leading to frequent and deadly accidents.

    The ministry plans to investigate the incident, emphasizing the need for adherence to safety standards in artisanal mining.

    In 2023, Mali’s artisanal mines contributed approximately six tons of gold, according to ministry data.