KAYES, Mali – At least 48 people, primarily women, were killed after an artisanal gold mine collapsed in western Mali on Saturday, according to an industry union official. The tragic incident occurred near the town of Kenieba, in the gold-rich Kayes region.
Taoule Camara, secretary general of the National Union of Gold Counters and Refineries (UCROM), told Reuters that the victims had entered open-pit areas left behind by industrial mining operations to search for gold remnants when the earth gave way around them.
A spokesperson for Mali’s Ministry of Mines confirmed the accident took place between the towns of Kenieba and Dabia but declined to provide further details, citing the ongoing assessment by government teams at the site.
Artisanal mining, which involves small-scale and often informal operations, is a major source of livelihood for many communities across West Africa. However, the practice is fraught with danger due to unregulated excavation methods, unstable mining structures, and lack of safety measures.
Fatal accidents are common in Mali’s mining sector. In late January, 13 artisanal miners—including women and three children—were killed in southwestern Mali when a mining tunnel flooded. Similar tragedies have been reported in neighboring countries as artisanal miners continue to take risks in search of gold, driven by rising global metal prices.
Authorities have yet to announce any official response or possible regulatory measures following the latest collapse. The incident underscores ongoing safety concerns in the region’s mining industry, where informal miners frequently work in hazardous conditions with little oversight.
Key Points:
Death Toll: At least 48 people, mostly women, died after an artisanal gold mine collapsed in western Mali on Saturday.
Location: The accident occurred near Kenieba in Mali’s gold-rich Kayes region.
Cause: The victims were searching for gold scraps in abandoned industrial mining pits when the ground caved in.
Official Response: Mali’s Ministry of Mines confirmed the incident but has not yet provided further details as investigations are ongoing.
Mining Risks: Artisanal mining is widespread in West Africa but is highly dangerous due to unregulated methods and unsafe working conditions.
Recent Incidents: In January, 13 artisanal miners, including women and children, were killed in a mine flooding in southwestern Mali.
Regulatory Concerns: Authorities have not yet announced any safety measures following the latest collapse, raising concerns about ongoing risks in the sector.
