Robert Besser
20 Feb 2025, 10:33 GMT+10
BAMAKO, Mali: A tragic mine collapse in western Mali, West Africa, has claimed the lives of at least 43 people, mostly women, an industry union official confirmed.
The accident occurred near the town of Kenieba in the gold-rich Kayes region, according to Taoule Camara, secretary general of the national union of gold counters and refineries (UCROM).
Camara explained that the victims had entered abandoned open-pit areas left behind by industrial mining companies, hoping to find leftover gold scraps, when the earth gave way and buried them.
A spokesperson for Mali's mines ministry confirmed the incident took place between Kenieba and Dabia but declined to provide further details, saying that ministry teams on the ground had not yet submitted their report.
Artisanal mining is widespread in West Africa, offering a source of income for many, particularly in Mali, one of Africa's top gold producers. However, the activity is fraught with danger due to the unregulated methods used by miners.
Fatal accidents are common. Just last month, 13 people—including women and three children—lost their lives when a tunnel flooded while they were digging for gold in southwest Mali.
As demand for metals continues to grow and gold prices remain high, artisanal miners increasingly take risks to extract the precious metal. But without proper safety measures, tragedies like this remain all too frequent.
Get a daily dose of Nigeria Sun news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Nigeria Sun.
More InformationWASHINGTON, D.C.: In a significant shift to federal vaccine guidance, the U.S. government will no longer recommend routine COVID-19...
KATHMANDU, Nepal: Using xenon gas treatment and new technology is making climbing Mount Everest faster and better for the environment...
CAIRO, Egypt: Egypt has revealed three newly discovered tombs in the Dra Abu al-Naga necropolis in Luxor. These tombs, found by Egyptian...
TOKYO, Japan: As global inflation remains stubborn and growth prospects dim, central bankers from around the world gathered in Tokyo...
HONOLULU, Hawaii: A man from Oregon, Oliver Widger, has arrived in Hawaii after sailing across the ocean with his cat, Phoenix. He...
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina: The Archbishop of Buenos Aires, Jorge GarcĂa Cuerva, used a major religious event over the weekend to criticize...
ABU DHABI, 30th May, 2025 (WAM) -- Selim Bouri, President for the Middle East and Africa (MEA) at SITA, a global leader in air transport...
New Delhi [India], May 30 (ANI): Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting picked his Baggy Greens playing XI for their upcoming World...
Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], May 30 (ANI): The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) stormed into the final of IPL 2025 on the back of...
Addis Ababa [Ethiopia], May 30 (ANI): The all-party delegation led by Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) MP Supriya Sule,...
Birmingham [UK], May 30 (ANI): England's first white-ball game under Harry Brook as full-time limited-overs captain witnessed plenty...
Barrick has said its employees remain in detention in Mali, and exports from its mine have been blocked for months Canadian company...