A community near the Segilola gold mine in Osun state, southwest Nigeria, has raised serious concerns about safety and health risks linked to the mine’s blasting operations. The mine, Nigeria’s only large-scale commercial gold project, is owned by Canadian company Thor Explorations and operated through its wholly owned subsidiary, Segilola Resources Operating Limited.
The issue came into sharp focus in October 2022, when Olujideen Adegboyega was killed after being struck by a flying rock during a blast near the town of Iperindo, located adjacent to the southern edge of the mining site. Adegboyega was riding a scooter on a local road when the incident occurred. Residents say such blasts, which take place three to five times weekly, pose a constant hazard to the thousands living nearby.
Local interviews depict widespread anxiety among community members, citing damage to homes—including cracks and structural instability—and health problems attributed to dust and chemicals released during blasting. Some residents report experiencing breathing difficulties and express fear that further explosions could cause more severe destruction or fatalities. “We, including our neighbours, are scared that one day the blasting will destroy our houses and kill people in the process,” said Gbenga Adedokun, a local farmer.
Several residents described the impact of vibrations from the blasts, noting that their houses shake severely, with some fearing possible collapse. Mosunmola Omoniyi, another farmer, reported cracks extending from roof to foundation caused by the frequent explosions. A local teacher and student also highlighted that blasts often occur during school hours, exacerbating the community’s distress.
Thor Explorations acknowledged that residents may perceive vibrations linked to controlled blasting but disputed allegations that the company’s operations have caused widespread structural damage or health issues. The company said it conducted a structural assessment of homes within 500 meters of the blast site before mining began in the southern pit area in October 2022. Since 2023, Thor reported it has carried out 15 repairs to address blast-related damages and stated none involved major collapses or extensive structural failures.
Regarding Adegboyega’s death, Thor stated that multiple exclusion protocols were in place at the time of the blast, including warning sirens, road closures, physical barricades, and patrols intended to keep the public clear of the danger zone. The company said Adegboyega breached these security measures by crossing a police checkpoint and entering the restricted area on his motorcycle immediately before the explosion. Thor characterized the incident as “profoundly tragic” but maintained that blasting activities were conducted safely and lawfully.
However, a woman who claimed to be a passenger on Adegboyega’s bike contested Thor’s account, saying the road remained open and busy despite the warning siren. Thor declined to respond to her statement.
In terms of compensation, Adegboyega’s widow, Kafayat, reported receiving a one-time payment and modest monthly stipends to support her family but said these amounts were insufficient to meet their needs. She declined a job offer from the company, citing trauma over her husband’s death.
More than a year before the fatal accident, an independent technical report prepared for Segilola Resources had flagged potential risks posed by blasting near Iperindo and other communities. The report highlighted that the blast exclusion zone at the southern edge of the pit overlapped with public infrastructure and warned that mining would likely affect safety, health, the environment, and local infrastructure.
The situation at Segilola underscores ongoing challenges faced by communities living close to industrial-scale mining operations, raising questions about regulatory oversight, corporate responsibility, and community safety in Nigeria’s mining sector.