In the heart of Shiroro local government area of Niger state in North Nigeria’s bustling mining industry lies a site brimming with untapped potential and unimaginable riches. Nestled within the Mutun Daya community, a cacophony of activity reverberates day and night as miners unearth treasures hidden within the earth’s depths.
ASHENEWS took a trip to the mining grounds to observe the activities going on there. The Reporter took a motorcycle from Gwada and rode on the motorcycle for about 20 minutes before getting to the bustling mining site.
Upon stepping foot onto the mining grounds, one is immediately engulfed by the industrious spirit that permeates the air. It’s a place where fortunes are made, but also where caution is paramount.
Despite the risks associated with mining, the allure of wealth draws miners from far and wide to this remote corner of the world. The mining site, while remote, is not devoid of life. Tents dot the landscape, providing shelter for the weary miners who toil day and night in pursuit of their dreams.
“They mine day and night, several of them sleep here. After mining, they will repair it and dress it. When you come here, it is not everybody here you deal with, when they see you, they will want to play with you, know why you are here and play with your money. You need to be extra careful with who you deal with,” warned one of the Miners.
Niger State boasts of commercial quantity of large minerals deposits like gold, talc, kaolin, tantalite, granite, marble, copper and lead. The State over the years had opened partnerships in areas of exploration, exploitation and processing. All Local Governments in the State have one or more deposits of solid minerals.
Sacks of sands and stones, each said to potentially conceal valuable gold deposits, are a common sight. “A sack which is sold for about N40,000 or N50,000 can give one gold worth thousands of naira,” reveals a local miner, highlighting the immense value hidden within these seemingly mundane materials.
Despite the aura of wealth, safety remains a priority within the mining site. Security measures are stringent, with visitors thoroughly vetted upon arrival.
The Reporter who was on a motorcycle observed several local security men with sticks and Dane guns. There were some places barricaded that one could not pass until your purpose for entering the site was confirmed and verified.
The camp itself is equipped with modest sleeping quarters and bustling kitchens, where women cook for the miners tirelessly.
“This is gold. Most of the stones you see here have gold in them. There is nothing useless here, if it is not gold, there are other types of minerals in it and this can also fetch you money,” explains one miner, emphasising the diversity of riches waiting to be unearthed.
Explaining the process of how to get gold to the Reporter, one of the miners who gave his name as Umar said the process is meticulous. He said that after the stones are mined, they are then crushed, washed with chemicals, and magnetised to extract the precious gold within.
The Reporter saw several heaps of stones and sand spread across the camp which was said to have over 15 licensed companies operating on it. It was learned that each heap of stones represents a collective effort, with groups of miners working tirelessly for months to accumulate their fortunes.
The Miners claim that the investment is substantial, both in terms of labour and finances, but the returns are equally impressive, “Some have gotten over N200 million from this gold mining in the past,” boasts a Miner identified as Abu, illustrating the potential windfalls awaiting those willing to delve into the trade.
“Most of these small boys you see that are making money, buying new cars and houses, it is not all that is yahoo, some of them are dealing with gold and it all depends on luck and the honesty of the person you deal with”, said an elderly miner who refused to give his name
“All these holes you are seeing have dealers and none of these dealers would say he is not enjoying. They have all made their money, they are all millionaires. Some come here as labourers and leave here as millionaires”, the elderly man said.
Yet, the path to riches is not without its dangers. The Miners told ASHENEWS of the risks they face, from the backbreaking labour of digging by hand to the constant threat of accidents from explosives used to break apart the earth.
“We blow whistles and tell everyone to leave the area so that we can diffuse the bomb,” explains one miner, highlighting the precautions taken to ensure safety in an inherently risky profession.
For those willing to take the risk, the rewards can be substantial. Dealers, who finance the operations in exchange for a share of the profits, can reap vast fortunes from their investments.
“After it is processed, the gold will be measured and sold, and the dealer will remove the money that he spent before the remaining money will be shared,” explains one miner. “Someone has gotten over 200 million from this gold mining in the past.”
As the sun sets over the mining site, casting shadows upon heaps of potential wealth, one thing is clear – within these depths lie not just gold, but the dreams and aspirations of a community determined to carve out their fortunes from the earth itself.
Robust activities of women and girls in the mining site
Within the confines of the camp, life thrives. Women can be seen going about their daily tasks, cooking meals or tending to small businesses, their presence a reminder of the community that has sprung up around the mining operation.
One of the girls in camp seen hawking food was not more than eight years old, the Reporter watched as she carried a tray made from cut-out gallon containing four plates of food. The girl climbed up the heaped sand to the hollow where some of the men climbed down to the hole and dropped the locally made tray.
She then went to call the men to come and pick up their food before she left with the empty tray. “As you see her, this is the way she helps her mother who cooks rice, beans and tuwo (corn meal) for the miners. She comes daily and does not go to school,” Aliyu pointed out.
Sarah, Mariam and Hannatu were seen together and were asked by the reporter what they do in the mining site.
“We pack sand and stones from the hole outside and we are paid for it”, Mariam replied.
According to her, she and her friends come here daily, find holes that are being dug and get the dealers to engage them in bringing out the sand and stones and they get paid daily, though they refused to disclose how much they receive after a day work.
Several boys of school age were also seen around the camp as some of them carried spades and diggers which explains that they joined in entering inside the holes to dig for gold.
When asked why they were not in school, one of them called Ibro said, Aunty, there is no money for school, so we have to come here to make money. Imagine getting about N2,000 daily and going to school and getting nothing. We prefer being here.
“Besides life is now hard that feeding is very difficult. We have to work to eat and help us with necessities which going to school will not give us”, he said.
Yet, amid the tales of riches, there is a sobering reality. For every success story, countless others have failed to strike it rich. The path to wealth is fraught with uncertainty, and not everyone will emerge victorious.
But for those who dare to dream, Mutun Daya remains a beacon of hope in a world where fortunes are won and lost with each passing day. And as long as gold continues to flow from the earth, the miners of Mutun Daya will continue their quest for wealth, undeterred by the risks that lie ahead.
