In southwest Mali, a tragic accident occurred last week when an artisanal gold mine collapsed, resulting in the deaths of more than 70 individuals. The incident, which took place in the Kangaba district of the southwestern Koulikoro region, underscores the dangers faced by small-scale, unregulated miners in the area.
The collapse occurred on Friday, with officials confirming the death toll and expressing regret over the incident. Despite warnings issued by the Ministry of Mines and other authorities, artisanal miners continued to operate without adhering to safety standards, leading to this devastating outcome.
This incident highlights the ongoing challenges faced by Mali’s artisanal mining sector, which attracts thousands of gold miners and remains a significant source of income for over two million people in the country. While Mali’s mining industry is dominated by foreign companies, artisanal mines continue to thrive, contributing to more than 80 percent of the country’s total exports.
However, the dangerous conditions and exploitation of child labor in these artisanal mining operations have raised concerns among human rights organizations. It is clear that more comprehensive measures are needed to regulate and improve safety in the artisanal mining sector in order to prevent such tragedies in the future.