A tragic incident at a mining site in Riruwai, Doguwa Local Government Area, Kano State, has resulted in the deaths of three artisanal miners. Two other individuals were hospitalized after losing consciousness. The accident occurred on Wednesday as workers attempted to clear rainwater from a flooded pit using a pumping machine.
Witness Salisu Abdulhamid explained that the machine’s exhaust fumes accumulated inside the enclosed space, overcoming those inside. The deceased have been identified as Haruna Usaini and Yusha’u Sale from Rimin Gado, alongside a worker named Danfuli from Daurawa. Basiru Sale, brother to one of the victims, expressed the family’s profound sorrow, noting that Yusha’u had only arrived at the site a week prior.
This event highlights the persistent safety hazards associated with artisanal mining in the Doguwa and Tudun Wada regions, where many unlicensed operations continue to function. In June, a state government inspection team closed several unauthorized sites due to lack of regulation. Authorities, including the Kano State Ministry of Solid Minerals and the Police Command, have yet to provide an official statement regarding this tragedy.
