The federal government has rescued seven persons at a collapsed mining site in Galadima Kogo, Shiroro Local Government Area (LGA) of Niger State.

The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, said this in a statement by his media aide, Segun Tomori, on Tuesday in Abuja.

He said that first responders had already been deployed to the incident scene, adding that the rescue mission was in collaboration with the mining company.

Thirty people were said to be trapped in the pit at a mining site operated by African Minerals and Logistics Ltd.

Abdullahi Arah, the director-general of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), had said the cause of the collapse was as a result of the heavy downpour which softened the soil.

The minister said the swift action demonstrated the government’s commitment to mitigate the adverse impact of the incident and rescue those still trapped in the rubble.

“Upon learning of the incident, we mobilised our Federal Mines Officer (FMO) and officials of the Mines Inspectorate to the site.

“In collaboration with the mining company, we have rescued seven victims, some with injuries. Rescue operations with excavators are ongoing to ensure we avert loss of lives,” he said.

According to the statement, the minister recently announced a policy on the mandatory arrangements of remedial measures for mining pits as part of the criteria for applying for mining licences.

The move was aimed at minimising incidents such as the collapse of the mining site in Niger.

It said the minister was actively monitoring the situation at the mining site.

He assured Nigerians of the federal government’s resolve to investigate the remote causes of the disaster to prevent a recurrence.

(NAN)