Dozens perish in Mali's illegal gold mine tragedy

Tragedy struck Saturday in Mali as more than 40 people, mainly women, lost their lives when an illegal gold mine collapsed near Kenieba, highlighting the dangers of unregulated mining activities in the region.

More than 40 individuals perished in a catastrophic accident at an illegal gold mine in Mali on Saturday. The incident occurred in the western Kayes region, close to Kenieba, where many had entered open-pit sections left by industrial miners in search of leftover gold scraps. According to a local miners' union leader, the earth gave way beneath them, resulting in the deadly collapse.

Conflicting reports have emerged regarding the exact death toll; a local police officer informed AFP that 48 individuals had died, while the head of an industry union reported 43 fatalities. The tragedy highlights issues within Mali’s mining sector, which, due to its largely unregulated nature, often endangers the lives of those working within it. This incident marks the second major mining disaster in three weeks, following a flood in late January that killed at least ten people.

Witnesses reported tragic scenes, including that of a woman with her baby on her back among the victims. A spokesperson from Mali's mines ministry confirmed the collapse occurred between Kenieba and Dabia but offered little other detail. Investigative teams have been dispatched to the site to gather further insights.

The collapse took place at a site once operated by a Chinese mining company, underscoring the deep involvement of foreign investment in Mali’s mining landscape. Recently, the nation has been embroiled in a conflict with Barrick, one of its largest mining firms, over revenue sharing agreements. Last month, the government seized $245 million worth of gold from Barrick, which has led to further tensions, including an arrest warrant for their CEO, Mark Bristow. Despite these challenges, Bristow remains optimistic about resolving the issues at hand.