Fifty pass away in gold mine collision

(MENAFN) A tragic collapse at an illegal Gold mine in western Mali has left at least 50 people dead, according to local sources. The incident took place near Kenieba, in the gold-rich Kayes region, an area known for both industrial and artisanal mining activities. The victims had reportedly entered abandoned open-pit mining sites once used by industrial operators to extract leftover gold when the unstable ground gave way.

The collapse occurred between the towns of Kenieba and Dabia, but details remain scarce. Initial reports varied, with local police estimating 48 deaths, while a union leader confirmed 43 fatalities. Later, Xinhua reported that the tragedy claimed the lives of 49 women and one man. The collapse was triggered by a Caterpillar machine falling onto the artisanal mine, and some victims were reported to have fallen into water-filled pits, including a woman carrying a baby. Rescue teams have recovered the bodies.

This incident follows a similar mining disaster in southern Mali in January that resulted in at least 10 deaths. Mali, one of the world’s top gold producers, often sees mining accidents due to unregulated operations, where miners use dangerous techniques to search for gold. The site of the latest disaster was previously operated by a Chinese company before being abandoned. Mali’s industrial gold production declined by 23% last year, according to the Ministry of Mines.

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