
A devastating flood at an artisanal gold mine in southwest Mali has claimed the lives of 13 miners, including women and three children.
The incident occurred on Wednesday in the Kangaba Cercle, near the village of Danga, where miners were digging for gold in an open-pit site.
According to Taoule Camara, Secretary General of the national union of gold counters and refineries (UCROM), a water reservoir’s sluice gates collapsed, sending a torrent of muddy water into the tunnel where miners were working.
“It is serious. There were a lot of women. We spent all day yesterday clearing away the water to start looking for the bodies,” Camara stated in a phone interview.
Artisanal mining is widespread across West Africa, offering both hope and hardship to thousands seeking fortune in gold-rich soils.
Despite the allure of wealth, the lack of regulation and safety measures makes these sites perilous, often leading to fatal accidents.
In January last year, a similar tragedy struck the region when a mine shaft collapse killed over 70 people, underscoring the persistent dangers of the trade.
Authorities continue recovery efforts, while families mourn yet another catastrophe in Mali’s gold mining industry.