Despite the inherent dangers associated with illegal mining, which has led to casualties, including deaths and incapacitation, some youths in Plateau State who undertake such dangerous ventures have blamed the harsh economic realities in the country for their stubborn obsession with the trade.

A few months ago, four youths lost their lives while others were trapped after an illegal mining site collapsed in Dura community of Jos South local government area of Plateau State.

Before then, a mining site said to belong to a top politician collapsed and buried some youths, including two blood brothers, and despite the hue and cry for justice, the issue was silently swept under the carpet.

Findings have also linked the majority of vicious and deadly attacks leading to deaths to illegal mining, as was witnessed early this year, when bandits attacked a group of miners in Bokkos local government area, killing 12 of them and injuring more than 10.

Official statistics for 2025 put the number of youths, including women, who died as a result of collapsed mines or bandit attacks at over 50, but according to some of the miners themselves, the casualty figure may be higher as some deaths have not been reported.

Worried by the frequent cases of mine collapse and deaths and the danger posed by illegal mining, which had also affected other sectors in the state, including the education sector, Gov Caleb Mutfwang took a bold decision when he signed an Executive Order 001 of 2025, suspending all mining activities across the state.

According to the governor, the move was made to protect the environment, address security challenges, and safeguard the well-being of citizens of Plateau State.

While signing the Order, Mutfwang stated that the suspension was necessary to curb illegal mining, mitigate land degradation, combat child labor, and address escalating security threats, including the influx of unregulated foreign miners, which has fueled banditry, kidnapping, drug trafficking, and illegal firearms possession in mining communities.

“As the Chief Security Officer of the State, it is my duty to ensure the safety of our people. Given the rising security concerns associated with illegal mining, we must take decisive action. All mining operations are hereby suspended until further notice.

“This measure is aimed at restoring order and ensuring that Plateau’s resources are harnessed for the benefit of its people,” Governor Mutfwang had declared.

But as usual, the ban on illegal mining was seen by the opposition as the government being insensitive and trying to stop the only means of livelihood for miners.

They saw it as a harsh decision meant to deprive the illegal miners of their source of livelihood, and even the explanation by Gov Mutfwang could not dissuade them from having a change of mind.

Despite the suspension, illegal mining continued to thrive with new sites opening up, especially in Barkin Ladi and Mangu LGAs, where there is an abundance of tin and columbites. The youths carry out their illegal activities in the open despite the dangers they face daily.

A particular mining site in Kassa, a community in Barkin Ladi can pass for a regulated site with its daily activities drawing thousands of illegal miners and patrons who come as far as Abuja and neighbouring states, as well as petty traders who make brisk business, and everyone seems happy.

But in all of these, the lurking danger cannot be wished away with a wave of the hand as it is always a daily reminder to the illegal miners that a typical day could be their end.

DAILY POST paid a visit to the popular Kassa mining site to find out the motivational factor behind their engagement in the deadly venture.

Our correspondent spoke with some of the practitioners and their responses were that of giving up on life as long as they can provide for their families.

“I know that this mining we are doing is illegal but we are pushed to engage in it because we must survive.

“Our government has not provided jobs for the youth. You want to engage in farming, but Fulani bandits will not allow you to farm. So what do we do?” Dung Joseph queried.

“For me, I have to engage in this business that you people call illegal because I have to fend for my family. I know it is dangerous but I have no alternative because I cannot steal,” said Silas Danjuma

“Who said what we are doing is illegal? Okay, if it is illegal, the government should provide an alternative source of livelihood for us. I am a graduate with a B.Sc in Business Administration. I graduated over seven years ago and since then, I have searched for a job to no avail.

“I have a wife, three kids, aged parents, and siblings that I have to take care of. How do I do that if I don’t engage in this illegal mining like you people call it?

“Yes, I know it is dangerous and a mine can collapse and bury you instantly but then, life is all about taking risks to survive,” Patrick Vongman said.

“I know this job is very risky and you can die. In fact, anytime I leave home to come and hustle, I tell my wife to expect two things: either I come home alive or they bring my dead body. I have seen a pit collapse on my friends and all five of them were buried alive.

“But life must go on as everybody must die one day. We are pushed into this dangerous business because we do not have an alternative. There are no jobs anywhere, especially for some of us who did not go to school. So the best option is to take this risk to survive,” said Thomas Dimas.

“Everyone must die one day, so anytime I come here, I am not afraid of death. I focus on what I come to do, which is to make money to take care of my family.

“Yes, there is danger, especially when you go into the pit but one has to do it if you must survive in this harsh economy of the country,” said Inusa Sabo.

For Geoffrey Kutah: “I will not lie to you., I am always afraid of going into the pit, as I prefer to work on the outside, but you don’t make much. Once in a while, I take the risk of going down, but I always pray to God to protect me.

“Guza (tin) mining is a very dangerous business, especially using the crude methods that we use. However, it is also very lucrative, as we earn a good income from it. We only engage in it to survive because there are no jobs anywhere.”