A gold mining operation near Iperindo, Nigeria, has sparked concerns over environmental and health impacts as its activities continue to expand. The Segilola gold mine, operated by the Canadian company Thor Explorations, has been active since mid-2021, with residential communities located within close proximity to blasting zones.

Residents near the mine have reported respiratory symptoms such as persistent coughing and irritation, which they attribute to dust and vibrations generated by mining activities. Iya Paraga, a local vendor, described frequent coughing after exposure to airborne dust. However, Thor has denied any causal link between its operations and the health complaints, citing independent air quality monitoring that found no significant impacts attributable to the mine. The company also emphasized its compliance with Nigeria’s regulatory framework and noted that its operations are subject to government oversight and an approved Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), which it declined to share publicly.

The mine operates under Nigeria’s National Environmental Regulations, which prohibit quarrying or blasting within three kilometers of residential or commercial areas. Satellite imagery shows that Iperindo and surrounding villages fall within this buffer zone. Thor contends that it adheres to all relevant regulations, including provisions allowing controlled blasting within three kilometers of communities subject to specific safety measures. The company criticized interpretations of the regulations as legally and factually incorrect and stressed that its operational planning includes public safety considerations.

Legal experts differ on the interpretation and enforcement of these rules. Emeka Duruigbo, a law professor licensed in Nigeria and the U.S., argued that the three-kilometer buffer is absolute and violations carry penalties, while Gbenga Okunlola, a Nigerian geology professor, noted weak enforcement and limited accountability in practice. The overlapping responsibilities of Nigeria’s federal and Osun state governments in regulating mining contribute to regulatory ambiguity, according to environmental advocates.

Thor’s operations have also seen several workplace incidents, including fatalities during mine construction and vendor-related accidents. The company acknowledged these events, attributing at least one death to contractor non-compliance with safety procedures. It has issued stop-work orders to contractors following increases in workplace injuries but declined to provide specific details on these incidents.

The expansion of the Segilola mine has coincided with significant financial growth for Thor. The company’s earnings after tax more than doubled in 2025, reaching $196 million, with stock prices surging on the TSX Venture Exchange. Thor has broadened its Nigerian portfolio, acquiring exploration licenses covering nearly 1,700 square kilometers, including plans for lithium extraction across three states.

Officials in Osun state highlight the economic benefits, citing increased tax revenue from mining activities that grew from several thousand to over one billion naira in recent years. The state government also holds shares in Thor, raising questions about potential conflicts of interest given its regulatory role.

An intergovernmental review in 2024 sided with Thor on allegations of environmental non-compliance brought by Osun state, finding no substantiated evidence of degradation linked to Segilola. Meanwhile, greenhouse gas emissions related to the mine’s operations doubled over the past year but were reported to remain within approved environmental limits.

Independent experts warn of the broader social and environmental challenges posed by proximity to open-pit mining, including disruption to agriculture, noise, and community stress. Sociologist Gwendolyn Wellmann compared the experience to living “in a war zone,” citing common impacts such as land loss and wildlife displacement.

The ongoing debate underscores tensions between economic development, environmental protection, and community well-being in Nigeria’s growing mining sector.