A heartbreaking disaster has claimed the lives of more than 40 people in Mali, following the collapse of an illegal gold mine near Kéniéba, in the country’s gold-rich Kayes region.
The victims, many of whom were women, were scavenging for gold scraps in abandoned open-pit areas, remnants of industrial mining operations, when the ground suddenly gave way on Saturday.
Reports on the exact death toll vary, with a local police official stating 48 dead, while a union representative confirmed 43 fatalities. Among the victims was a woman who had her baby strapped to her back. “Some of the victims fell into the water,” a police officer reported, painting a tragic picture of the calamity.
Rescue operations were swiftly launched, and workers were able to recover the bodies of those trapped in the collapse, confirming the scope of the tragedy.
This incident marks Mali’s second deadly mining accident in just three weeks, with at least 10 miners killed in a tunnel collapse in late January. The country, one of the largest gold producers in the world, is grappling with a mining industry that is often marred by unregulated, unsafe practices. These illicit mining activities, driven largely by economic hardship, are particularly dangerous for women, who are disproportionately involved in these high-risk ventures.
Saturday’s collapse occurred at a former site once operated by a Chinese mining company, adding to the growing concerns about the impact of foreign investments in Mali’s mining sector. While China has poured substantial resources into Mali’s gold industry, its operations have raised environmental and financial alarms.
At the same time, tensions are brewing within Mali’s mining sector. The Malian government is currently in a contentious dispute with Canadian mining giant Barrick Gold over revenue-sharing. Just last month, authorities seized $245 million worth of gold bars from the company and issued an arrest warrant for its CEO, Mark Bristow. Despite the escalating tensions, Bristow has expressed confidence that a resolution will be reached, stating, “I have no doubt we will reach a solution.”
In the wake of Saturday’s tragedy, the Malian Ministry of Mines has confirmed the accident and has launched an investigation to determine the cause of the collapse.
The incident has once again highlighted the dangers faced by informal miners in Mali, as well as the broader issues surrounding the country’s unregulated mining industry.
As the country mourns the loss of these lives, many are calling for greater oversight and safer working conditions to prevent future tragedies in an industry that, despite its riches, has proven perilous for those who rely on it for survival.
