Over 70 dead in informal mine collapse in Mali

Last week, over 70 people lost their lives in a tunnel collapse at a gold mining site in Mali

Over 70 people died in a tunnel cave-in at a gold mining site in Mali last week, as reported by local sources to Agence France-Presse (AFP) on Wednesday. This unfortunate incident is the most recent in an area notorious for regular mining disasters. 

Mali, one of the world’s most impoverished nations, stands as a leading gold producer in Africa. Fatal landslides are a common occurrence at gold mining locations, and authorities struggle to regulate the artisanal extraction of this precious metal. 

Oumar Sidibe, a representative for gold miners in the town of Kangaba, recounted the incident, stating, “It began with a rumble. The ground began to tremble.” He went on to report, “There were more than 200 gold miners in the area. The search has concluded, and we have discovered 73 bodies.” 

This toll was confirmed by a local council member. While Mali’s Ministry of Mines acknowledged the deaths of several miners in a statement on Tuesday, it did not provide specific figures. 

The government extended its “sincere condolences to the bereaved families and the people of Mali,” and urged “communities residing near mining sites and gold miners to strictly adhere to safety protocols and work only within designated gold panning areas.” 

Foreign corporations, such as Canada’s Barrick Gold and B2Gold, Australia’s Resolute Mining, and Britain’s Hummingbird Resources, dominate Mali’s mining sector and continue to operate despite the country’s longstanding political instability. However, artisanal mines persist and draw in thousands of gold miners. 

Perilous conditions 

Gold extraction in the Sahel region poses significant risks. 

Nongovernmental organizations consistently condemn the employment of underage workers in small-scale mining activities. 

The continual influx of new gold prospectors and the absence of adequate infrastructure lead to hazardous living and working conditions, as outlined in a 2019 report by the International Organization for Migration (IOM). 

The report stated that due to the remote location and minimal government presence, workers typically lack workplace protections. Accessing medical treatment or care in the event of illness or injury is challenging due to the distance to hospitals and the poor condition of roads. 

Despite the harsh and precarious living conditions, miners persist in settling at these sites. 

In February 2022, a detonation of dynamite at a small-scale gold mining site in southwestern Burkina Faso resulted in the deaths of at least 59 individuals. Similar mining accidents are frequently reported in Guinea, Senegal, and western Mali. 

In March of the previous year, the then Minister of Mines Lamine Seydou Traore, disclosed that Mali produced 72.2 tonnes of gold in 2022, with the metal contributing significantly to the national budget, export earnings and gross domestic product. 

Following their assumption of power in 2020, Mali’s military leaders pledged to reclaim sovereignty and ensure the country benefits from its natural resources. However, authorities seldom disclose information about mining accidents. 

In August, Mali implemented a new mining code that allows the government to acquire up to a 30% stake in new projects. This move is anticipated to generate at least 500 billion CFA francs ($830 million) for the annual state budget. 

Source: AFP, Newsroom