Assessment of Chemical Explosives Storage Safety at Mining Operations in Anambra State, South East Nigeria

Safe storage and handling of chemical explosives is a critical regulatory requirement for mining operations, yet compliance with explosives storage standards in Anambra State, South East Nigeria, has not been systematically evaluated. This study assesses the safety compliance of explosives storage facilities at 12 active mining sites in Anambra State against the requirements of the Nigeria Explosives Act and associated regulations. A structured safety inspection protocol was developed and applied at each site, evaluating magazine construction standards, quantity limits, access control, inventory documentation, and proximity to sensitive receptors. Key personnel were interviewed to assess knowledge of regulatory requirements and emergency procedures. Findings reveal significant non-compliance across most safety dimensions. Eight of twelve magazines inspected fail to maintain the minimum prescribed separation distance from public roads and residential buildings. Access control is limited to padlocked doors without guards or electronic monitoring at 11 sites. Inventory documentation is incomplete or falsified at half the sites, making tracking of explosives quantities impossible. The study attributes systemic non-compliance to inadequate enforcement capacity within the Department of Petroleum Resources and the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development. Recommendations include digital tracking of explosives through licensed operators, biometric access control systems, and monthly unannounced inspections by regulatory authorities. Keywords: explosives storage, mining safety, Anambra State, regulatory compliance, magazines.