Over 70 individuals lost their lives following a tunnel collapse at a gold mining site in Mali last week, according to statements from a local leader of the gold mining group and an official on Wednesday.
Oumar Sidibe, a representative for gold miners in the southwestern town of Kangaba, reported the incident, stating that the catastrophe unfolded with a sudden noise and shaking ground, affecting over 200 miners.
The search efforts have concluded, revealing a total of 73 bodies. This toll was corroborated by a local councillor.
While Mali’s Ministry of Mines acknowledged the deaths in a statement on Tuesday, it refrained from providing specific figures. The government expressed its profound condolences to the bereaved families and the people of Mali.
Urging adherence to safety measures, especially within designated gold panning areas, officials emphasized the need for communities near mining sites and miners to prioritize safety.
Mali, counted among the world’s least affluent nations, stands as one of Africa’s foremost gold producers. The precarious nature of gold mining sites often leads to fatal landslides, posing a significant challenge for authorities in regulating artisanal mining practices. In 2022, Mali produced 72.2 tonnes of gold, with the precious metal contributing 25% to the national budget, 75% to export earnings, and 10% to the GDP, as reported by the then Minister of Mines, Lamine Seydou Traore, in March of the previous year.
