Mine collapse in western Mali kills at least 43, mostly women

Robert Besser
20 Feb 2025, 10:33 GMT+10

A tragic mine collapse in western Mali has claimed the lives of at least 43 people, mostly women, an industry union official confirmed
The accident occurred near the town of Kenieba in the gold-rich Kayes region, according to Taoule Camara, secretary general of the national union of gold counters and refineries
Camara explained that the victims had entered abandoned open-pit areas left behind by industrial mining companies, hoping to find leftover gold scraps, when the earth gave way and buried them

BAMAKO, Mali: A tragic mine collapse in western Mali, West Africa, has claimed the lives of at least 43 people, mostly women, an industry union official confirmed.

The accident occurred near the town of Kenieba in the gold-rich Kayes region, according to Taoule Camara, secretary general of the national union of gold counters and refineries (UCROM).

Camara explained that the victims had entered abandoned open-pit areas left behind by industrial mining companies, hoping to find leftover gold scraps, when the earth gave way and buried them.

A spokesperson for Mali's mines ministry confirmed the incident took place between Kenieba and Dabia but declined to provide further details, saying that ministry teams on the ground had not yet submitted their report.

Artisanal mining is widespread in West Africa, offering a source of income for many, particularly in Mali, one of Africa's top gold producers. However, the activity is fraught with danger due to the unregulated methods used by miners.

Fatal accidents are common. Just last month, 13 people—including women and three children—lost their lives when a tunnel flooded while they were digging for gold in southwest Mali.

As demand for metals continues to grow and gold prices remain high, artisanal miners increasingly take risks to extract the precious metal. But without proper safety measures, tragedies like this remain all too frequent.