Mining Pit Collapse Claims Over 20 Lives In Taraba Community
By MiningToday
More than 20 people including women and children are feared dead after a mining pit collapsed at Mayo Kam community in Bali Local Government Area of Taraba State.
The incident occurred on Thursday afternoon while miners were reportedly carrying out excavation activities at the site.
The collapse has thrown Mayo Kam and neighbouring communities into mourning with residents fearing that several people may still be trapped beneath the debris.
A resident of Mayo Kam community Kenneth Ayila who confirmed the incident said more than 20 people were feared dead.
“A mining pit has collapsed on miners at Mayo Kam village in Bali Local Government Area of Taraba State this afternoon. Over 20 people are feared dead,” he said
Also speaking, a community leader who identified himself as Mallam Usman Bello, said most of the victims were indigenes of Mayo Kam, while only a few miners usually came from neighbouring communities to work at the site.
Bello said the community was in total shock over the incident, noting that “We are in total shock over the incident, ” he stated, while speaking in Hausa language.
Meanwhile, the exact casualty figure can not be independent verified as at Press Time, even as the Taraba State Police Command’s death tolls stood at five persons.
The Police Public Relations Officer Victor Msherizah, confirmed the figure during a telephone interview with The Miner’s Correspondent.
The conflicting figures mean that while residents are reporting more than 20 deaths the Police have so far confirmed five fatalities, as rescue and recovery operations continue.
The incident has raised fresh questions about the safety of mining activities in Taraba State particularly against the backdrop of government efforts to halt illegal mining operations across the state.
In June 2026 the Taraba State Government announced the suspension of mining activities across the state following growing security concerns linked to mining operations.
The government directed local government councils and traditional institutions to ensure compliance with the suspension order.
Despite the directive, illegal mining activities have continued to attract government attention in parts of the state.
In August 2026, the Taraba State Government announced the arrest of 50 suspected illegal miners and the dispersal of more than 500 others during an enforcement operation in Gantu community in the Mayo Kam area.
The development identified the area as one of the locations where illegal gold mining activities had remained a major concern.
The latest tragedy has therefore renewed concerns over the ability of relevant authorities to effectively enforce mining restrictions and prevent people from operating dangerous and unregulated mining pits.
Under the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act 2007 the Federal Government through the relevant mining authorities is empowered to regulate mining operations and enforce standards relating to mine safety.
The Act also provides for the inspection of mining operations and investigation of accidents and other incidents connected with mining activities.
The Nigerian Minerals and Mining Regulations 2011 further provides specific requirements covering mine health and safety and the reporting of accidents and dangerous occurrences.
The regulations require mining operators to maintain appropriate safety standards and provide necessary measures for protecting workers and other persons who may be exposed to mining operations.
The regulatory framework also provides for measures relating to abandoned mine workings and the restoration and reclamation of mined areas.
These provisions are particularly relevant to the Mayo Kam incident as authorities move to establish whether the affected pit was being operated legally and whether the operators complied with applicable safety requirements.
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