**The recent collapse highlights the dangers associated with illegal gold mining in Mali, a country rich in natural resources but riddled with unsafe mining practices.**
**Tragedy Strikes as Illegal Gold Mine Collapse Claims Lives in Mali**
**Tragedy Strikes as Illegal Gold Mine Collapse Claims Lives in Mali**
**Over 40 fatalities reported due to unregulated mining practices in the Kayes region.**
More than 40 individuals lost their lives in a devastating collapse at an illegal gold mine in the Kayes region of western Mali on Saturday. The incident occurred near Kenieba, where many, primarily women, had entered abandoned pits left by industrial miners in search of leftover gold. A leader from a gold miners’ union provided details to the media, emphasizing the unregulated nature of such mining practices that contribute to frequent accidents.
This tragedy marks the second significant mining accident in Mali within just three weeks; at least 10 people were reported dead due to a flooded mining tunnel in late January. While local police reported 48 fatalities in the recent collapse, the head of the miners' union cited a figure of 43, revealing conflicting estimates. Eyewitness accounts described harrowing scenes where some victims fell into the water, including a woman carrying her baby on her back.
Mali stands as one of the leading gold-producing nations globally, yet its mining industry is plagued by a lack of regulation, resulting in miners often resorting to perilous extraction methods. A report from the Miner's Ministry acknowledged the incident and mentioned that an evaluation was underway at the site. It surfaced that the collapse occurred at a mining site previously managed by a Chinese firm, underscoring systemic issues in safety practices.
Mali's negotiations with major mining entities have also drawn attention recently, particularly a dispute with Canadian mining giant Barrick concerning revenue sharing, which saw the Malian government seize gold valued at $245 million and issue an arrest warrant for Barrick's CEO. Observers hope for a swift resolution to this conflict amid ongoing concerns about the safety and management of Mali’s valuable mining resources.
This tragedy marks the second significant mining accident in Mali within just three weeks; at least 10 people were reported dead due to a flooded mining tunnel in late January. While local police reported 48 fatalities in the recent collapse, the head of the miners' union cited a figure of 43, revealing conflicting estimates. Eyewitness accounts described harrowing scenes where some victims fell into the water, including a woman carrying her baby on her back.
Mali stands as one of the leading gold-producing nations globally, yet its mining industry is plagued by a lack of regulation, resulting in miners often resorting to perilous extraction methods. A report from the Miner's Ministry acknowledged the incident and mentioned that an evaluation was underway at the site. It surfaced that the collapse occurred at a mining site previously managed by a Chinese firm, underscoring systemic issues in safety practices.
Mali's negotiations with major mining entities have also drawn attention recently, particularly a dispute with Canadian mining giant Barrick concerning revenue sharing, which saw the Malian government seize gold valued at $245 million and issue an arrest warrant for Barrick's CEO. Observers hope for a swift resolution to this conflict amid ongoing concerns about the safety and management of Mali’s valuable mining resources.
