Fatal Collapse at Illegal Gold Mine Claims Over 40 Lives in Mali

A collapse at an illegal gold mine near Kenieba, Mali, has resulted in the deaths of more than 40 individuals, primarily women, as mining accidents continue to plague the country's unregulated sectors.

 

A devastating collapse at an illegal gold mine near Kenieba in Mali's western Kayes region has resulted in the loss of more than 40 lives, predominantly among women seeking scraps of gold. The incident occurred on Saturday when the ground gave way beneath the miners, who had entered the open-pit areas abandoned by industrial operators, as reported by a local gold miner's union leader to Reuters.

Conflicting reports emerged regarding the exact death toll, with a local police source indicating that 48 individuals perished in the disaster, while the head of the miners' union pointed to 43 victims. Heart-wrenching accounts have surfaced, including one of a woman who fell into the water while carrying her baby on her back.

This tragedy marks yet another deadly mining incident for Mali, which is known as one of the largest gold producers worldwide. It follows a recent flooding event in January that claimed at least ten lives. The surge in casualties reflects the dangers associated with the unregulated mining practices prevalent in the country, where miners often use perilous techniques in their quest for gold.

A representative from the Malian mines ministry has confirmed the incident that took place between Kenieba and Dabia but refrained from providing extensive details as ministry teams worked on preparing a report at the site. Reports indicate that the collapse occurred at a site once managed by a Chinese company, highlighting the complexities of foreign investments in Mali's mining sector.

The relationship between Yemen and its mining firms is currently strained, particularly with Canadian company Barrick. Recently, the Malian government seized gold worth $245 million from Barrick while issuing an arrest warrant for its CEO, Mark Bristow. In a recent interview, Bristow expressed confidence that the dispute would reach a resolution soon, but the ongoing tensions add to the backdrop of fatalities in the country’s mining operations.