Heavy rains caused an open-pit mine collapse in Nigeria that killed at least 20 people and trapped 14 others, according to local Channels Television, which cited police.
Rescuers were hampered by lack of equipment, rains and local insecurity as they tried to access gold miners caught up in the accident that occurred in north-central Niger state on Monday, according to Turkish state media agency Anadolu and local TVC News on Thursday.
At least six injured miners have been pulled from the rubble at the site at Galadima Kogo, about 180 km northwest of the capital, Abuja, Anadolu said.
Strike
A nationwide strike also limited access until Wednesday, Anadolu reported. The Niger State Emergency Management Agency recovered 20 bodies, the news organization said.
Niger state’s Ministry of Mineral Resources blamed the mining company for failing to comply with a government order that had suspended all mining in the area. TVC News identified the company as African Mineral Logistics, but gave few details.
Commentators on TVC News said Niger state’s most hardened bandits roam the area near the mine and often confront local military units with heavily-armed attacks.
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