The Senate has called for stricter safety regulations in Nigeria’s mining sector following a deadly landslide at a coal mining site in Kogi State that claimed the lives of 20 workers, raising fresh concerns over safety standards and regulatory compliance in the country’s solid minerals industry.
The resolution followed the adoption of a motion sponsored by Senator Isah Jibrin Echocho, representing Kogi East Senatorial District, during Wednesday’s plenary. Lawmakers described the incident as a humanitarian tragedy that underscored the urgent need for stronger oversight of mining operations, particularly in coal-producing communities across the state.
Leading the debate, Echocho recalled that the July 14 landslide occurred at Alufele in Enjema District of Ankpa Local Government Area, where artisanal miners were trapped underground after a major ground failure. He said the disaster also caused several trucks to sink into mining pits during loading operations, leaving many others injured.
The senator warned that coal mining communities including Enjema, Okaba and Ikah, as well as parts of Omala and Olamaboro Local Government Areas, are situated on unstable geological formations that are highly vulnerable to landslides and ground collapse. He attributed the recurring accidents to unsafe mining practices, including the use of the room-and-pillar mining system without adequate structural reinforcement.
Echocho further lamented that many miners operate under informal employment arrangements without written contracts, health insurance, life insurance or occupational hazard coverage, leaving victims and their families without compensation whenever accidents occur. He stressed that the continued loss of lives highlights the need for comprehensive reforms in the mining sector.
Following deliberations, the Senate directed the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development to conduct a nationwide audit of licensed mining operators to strengthen monitoring, enforcement and regulatory compliance. Lawmakers also called for the establishment of a statutory Mining Workers’ Compensation Scheme, funded through mandatory contributions by licensed mining operators, to provide financial support for workers affected by occupational injuries, disabilities and fatalities.
The upper chamber maintained that improving safety standards, enforcing mining regulations and strengthening worker protection are critical to preventing future tragedies and restoring confidence in Nigeria’s mining industry.
