The tragic collapse of an illegal gold mine in western Mali resulted in the deaths of more than 40 individuals, many of whom were searching for gold scraps. This incident marks the second deadly mining accident in the region within a month, highlighting the dangers associated with unregulated mining practices in the country.
Tragedy Strikes as Illegal Gold Mine Collapse Claims Over 40 Lives in Mali
Tragedy Strikes as Illegal Gold Mine Collapse Claims Over 40 Lives in Mali
A recent collapse of an illegal gold mine near Kenieba leads to a significant loss of life, raising concerns over safety in Mali's unregulated mining sector.
More than 40 people, predominantly women, lost their lives in the devastating collapse of an illegal gold mine in western Mali on Saturday. The disaster occurred in Kayes, near the town of Kenieba, where the victims had entered open-pit areas leftover by industrial mining operations in search of gold scraps when the ground beneath them gave way, according to a local mining union leader who spoke to Reuters.
While the local police reported 48 fatalities to the AFP news agency, the industry union representative cited 43 victims. Eyewitness accounts detail harrowing scenes, including that of a woman who was trapped with her baby on her back. This incident is the second major mining tragedy in Mali within a span of just three weeks, following a tunnel flood that claimed at least 10 lives in late January.
Mali stands among the world’s largest gold producers, yet such accidents remain tragically commonplace given the unregulated nature of mining in the country. Miners frequently employ perilous methods to extract gold, with another catastrophic collapse claiming at least 40 lives just over a year ago when a tunnel caved in.
A spokesperson from Mali's mines ministry confirmed the recent accident without providing further specifics. Rescue and recovery efforts are ongoing as ministry teams prepare a report at the scene.
The collapse occurred at an abandoned site previously managed by a Chinese mining company, indicating the country’s heavy reliance on foreign investments, particularly from Beijing. This backdrop of foreign involvement in Mali's minerals sector coincides with ongoing disputes over revenue-sharing with Barrick Gold Corporation, one of the most significant players in the Malian mining landscape. Just last month, the Malian government seized gold bars valued at $245 million from Barrick, issuing an arrest warrant for its CEO, Mark Bristow, who expressed confidence in resolving the conflict in a recent interview.
