In brief
The accident near Kéniéba occurred when miners, predominantly women, searched for gold scraps in an open pit left by industrial operations. This latest disaster underscores the risks associated with informal mining in West Africa.
At least 43 individuals have died, primarily women, following the collapse of an informal gold mine in western Mali on Saturday, according to the head of a local mining union. The incident is reported to have occurred in the Kayes region, close to Kéniéba, when the miners descended into open-pit areas, which had been abandoned by industrial miners.Taoule Camara, secretary general of the national union of gold counters and refineries, informed Reuters that those affected had been scavenging for leftover gold scraps when the ground gave way beneath them. A representative from the mines ministry confirmed the occurrence of the accident between Kéniéba and Dabia but withheld further information, as on-site teams had not yet submitted their findings.Informal or artisanal mining remains prevalent across West Africa, and in recent years, the practice has gained traction due to rising metal prices and increasing demand. However, such operations carry significant risks. There have been numerous fatal incidents linked to poor safety standards, with miners often employing unregulated methods. Just last month, at least 10 people were killed in a separate landslide at another informal mine in Danga, Mali.
