Three artisanal miners have died and two others lost consciousness in a tragic incident at a mining site in Riruwai, Doguwa Local Government Area of Kano State, following a surge of toxic fumes from a water-pumping machine. The incident occurred on Wednesday, after heavy rainfall had flooded the mining pit, prompting workers to resume operations with a new pump. The machine’s emissions quickly filled the confined space, leading to the deaths of three miners and the collapse of two others. The deceased have been identified as Haruna Usaini and Yusha’u Sale, both from Dan Isa community in Rimin Gado Local Government Area, and Danfuli from Daurawa in Doguwa LGA.
Eyewitness Salisu Abdulhamid told DAILY POST that the tragedy unfolded as workers attempted to drain water that had accumulated in the pit overnight. “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,” he explained. He added that Yusha’u Sale and the man from Daurawa were among those who lost their lives.
Basiru Sale, a relative of Yusha’u, expressed deep sorrow over the loss of his younger brother. “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, visibly emotional. The family has announced that Haruna Usaini and Yusha’u Sale will be buried on Thursday in their home community of Dan Isa.
The incident has once again highlighted the dangerous conditions faced by artisanal miners in Doguwa and neighbouring Tudun Wada Local Government Areas. Many young men from across Kano State travel to these regions in search of employment, often working in unregulated and hazardous environments. Investigations by DAILY POST reveal that numerous mining sites in the area operate without proper licences or safety protocols. In June, a Kano State government delegation led by the state revenue agency conducted inspections and raised alarms over widespread illegal mining activities. The team shut down several mining operations for operating without legal authorisation.
Despite the severity of the incident, neither the Kano State Ministry of Solid Minerals nor the Kano State Police Command had issued an official statement at the time of filing this report. The tragedy underscores the urgent need for stricter enforcement of mining regulations and improved safety measures to protect workers in the sector. As communities mourn the loss of their loved ones, calls for accountability and reform in artisanal mining operations are likely to grow louder.
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