The collapse occurred near Kéniéba in the Kayes region, highlighting the ongoing dangers of artisanal mining in West Africa amidst rising demands for gold.
Tragedy Strikes: 43 Lives Lost in Mali Gold Mine Collapse
Tragedy Strikes: 43 Lives Lost in Mali Gold Mine Collapse
A devastating landslide in an informal gold mine in western Mali has resulted in the deaths of at least 43 people, predominantly women.
In a tragic incident over the weekend, at least 43 individuals, primarily women, lost their lives when an informal gold mine collapsed in western Mali. This horrific accident took place near the town of Kéniéba within the gold-abundant Kayes region, as reported by Taoule Camara, secretary general of the national union of gold counters and refineries. The victims were searching for gold remnants in open-pit areas previously excavated by industrial miners when the ground suddenly gave way.
While a representative from Mali's mines ministry confirmed the collapse occurred between Kenieba and Dabia, they refrained from providing additional information as official reports from ministry teams at the scene had not yet been received.
Artisanal mining—often referred to as informal mining—is prevalent in much of West Africa, gaining traction due to increasing demand for gold and rising metal prices. Unfortunately, this surge in activity has resulted in frequent fatalities as miners commonly engage under hazardous conditions and employ unregulated practices. This incident echoes a previous tragedy where 13 artisanal miners, including three children, died in late January after a mining tunnel flooded in southwest Mali.
