Collapsed mining site claims lives, Ebonyi govt reacts

The Ebonyi State Government, together with the Federal Ministry of Mines, has shut down a mining site in Ishiagu, Ivo Local Government Area, after a landslide killed two workers.

Speaking to journalists at the site, the Commissioner for Solid Minerals, Hon. Chidi Onyia, said the Greenfield mining site was sealed to allow a full investigation into the cause of the incident.

He explained that while early reports suggest the landslide was likely a natural disaster and not due to negligence, the government wants to be sure before making any final conclusions.

“It’s very sad that we lost two people in this incident,” Onyia said. “Our main concern is the safety and well-being of our citizens. We also sympathize with the injured and the families of those who died.”

He noted that security agencies, including the Police, DSS, and Civil Defence Corps, are now involved in the investigation.

The commissioner said mining accidents happen even in well-developed countries like South Africa, Canada, Australia, and the U.S., and sometimes they are beyond human control. He also urged people not to spread unverified information, as many public statements were made by people who hadn’t visited the site or spoken to affected families.

The mining site uses open-cast methods, which the government encourages for safety reasons.

Henry Ahanotu, CEO of Greenfield Metals Ltd., also spoke at the site. He said the company prioritizes safety and follows strict health and safety rules. He called the incident a natural disaster and expressed sorrow over the deaths.

“We take all necessary precautions, and we never expected something like this to happen,” he said.