At least 48 people, most of them women, have reportedly died after an illegal open-pit gold mine collapsed in the western region of Mali over the weekend (15 February), a second such mining disaster in less than three weeks.
The victims were reportedly scavenging for leftover scraps of gold at the mine, abandoned by an industrial mining company. Rescue teams and volunteers continue to search for survivors, with the death toll expected to rise. This tragic incident took place in Kenieba, near Mali’s gold-rich Kayes region, where illegal mining has become increasingly common. Officials confirmed that many of the victims were women, some carrying children. One police report noted that a woman was found dead with her baby on her back. This accident marks the second deadly mining disaster in less than three weeks in the country, following a tunnel flooding at an artisanal mine in January that killed 13 people.
Mali, one of Africa’s top gold producers, faces significant challenges in regulating its mining sector. Unregulated, informal mining practices are prevalent, contributing to frequent accidents. In recent years, rising global gold prices have driven more people, particularly women, to risk their lives in search of small pieces of the precious metal. This latest tragedy underscores the dangers of such operations. While Mali’s government struggles to manage the sector, the international community continues to raise concerns about the safety and sustainability of artisanal mining. Local experts are calling for greater oversight and safer working conditions to prevent further loss of life.