January 25, 2024 A tragic incident occurred at a gold mining site in Mali last week, resulting in the collapse of a tunnel and the loss of more than 70 lives, according to local sources. Mali, one of Africa’s leading gold producers, faces recurrent mining accidents, particularly at gold mining sites. The disaster occurred in the southwestern town of Kangaba, where over 200 gold miners were present. The search and rescue efforts have concluded, with a total of 73 bodies found.
Gold mining in Mali, known for its rich gold deposits, has often been marred by deadly landslides, and authorities struggle to regulate artisanal mining activities. The incident involved a collapse in a tunnel, leading to fatalities among the gold miners. Mali, categorized among the world’s poorest countries, relies significantly on gold production for its economy.
Mali’s mining sector is dominated by foreign companies, including Barrick Gold, B2Gold, Resolute Mining, and Hummingbird Resources. Despite the country’s political instability, these foreign groups continue operations. However, artisanal mining, characterized by informal and often unsafe practices, remains prevalent and attracts thousands of gold miners.
The perilous conditions in Sahel region gold mining include the use of child labor, lack of workplace protections, and difficult access to healthcare in case of accidents or illnesses. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) highlighted the challenges faced by gold miners in the region in a report published in 2019.
The latest mining disaster in Mali follows a similar incident in Burkina Faso in February 2022, where 59 people lost their lives due to the explosion of a dynamite stockpile at an artisanal gold mining site. Mining accidents are also regularly reported in countries like Guinea, Senegal, and western Mali.
Mali produced 72.2 tonnes of gold in 2022, contributing significantly to the national budget, export earnings, and GDP. The mining sector is vital for the country’s economy, and authorities have taken steps to increase state participation in mining projects through a new mining code adopted in August. However, mining accidents continue to pose a significant risk to the lives of those involved in the industry.
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