More than 40 individuals, primarily women, lost their lives when an illegal gold mine collapsed near Kenieba, marking Mali's second fatal mining incident in weeks. The government faces ongoing challenges related to unregulated mining practices, spurred by disputes with major international mining companies.
Deadly Collapse at Illegal Gold Mine Claims Over 40 Lives in Mali
Deadly Collapse at Illegal Gold Mine Claims Over 40 Lives in Mali
A tragic mining accident in western Mali highlights ongoing safety risks and regulatory challenges within the country's gold mining industry.
More than 40 people have tragically lost their lives after an illegal gold mine near Kenieba in Mali's gold-rich Kayes region caved in on Saturday. The victims were mainly women who entered abandoned open-pit areas left by industrial miners in search of leftover gold. A local leader from the gold miner's union revealed the grim details to Reuters, noting that the collapses occurred as the earth crumbled around them.
Conflicting reports have emerged regarding the exact death toll; a local police source cited 48 fatalities, whereas an industry union official confirmed 43 victims. Heart-wrenchingly, one of the victims was a woman who fell into the water while carrying her baby on her back. This incident adds to Mali's troubling record of deadly mining accidents, with a flooding incident claiming at least 10 lives just weeks earlier.
Mali is recognized as one of the world's largest gold producers, and the majority of its mining activities are unregulated, often involving dangerous and outdated methods of extraction. A spokesperson from the mines ministry did confirm the accident's occurrence but refrained from providing detailed information as ministry teams are reportedly working on gathering a full account of the site.
The mine in question was previously operated by a Chinese company, which reflects the extent of Beijing's investment in Mali's mining sector. The government of Mali is also engaged in a contentious debate over revenue sharing with Barrick Gold, a Canadian multinational mining company. Last month, the Malian government confiscated gold bars valued at $245 million from Barrick and issued an arrest warrant for CEO Mark Bristow, emphasizing the ongoing tension between local regulatory frameworks and foreign business operations in the mining industry.
