Arrr! More than 70 souls be lost, matey, as a cursed gold mine collapsed in Mali, says a swabby.
2024-01-24
Yarr mateys! Pardon this tale, but it seems that artisanal, wee-scale mining be runnin' amok, unregulated by the scallywag government in Mali. Many a brave soul be meetin' their demise or findin' themselves injured in the search for gold, ye see. Aye, Mali be a grand producer o' gold, but at a cost, it be!
An official in Mali has confirmed that over 70 people have died after an unregulated gold mine collapsed. The incident occurred in the Kangaba district in the southwestern Koulikoro region. The exact cause of the collapse is still unknown, and the toll is feared to rise as search efforts continue. This kind of accident is not uncommon in Mali, Africa's third-largest gold producer. Artisanal miners, who often disregard safety measures, particularly in remote areas, are frequently involved in such incidents.Karim Berthé, a senior official at the National Geology and Mining Directorate, called the collapse an accident and urged the state to regulate the artisanal mining sector to prevent such accidents in the future. The Ministry of Mines also expressed regret for the incident and called on miners and communities near mining sites to comply with safety requirements.
While concerns have been raised about unregulated mining benefiting Islamic extremists in northern Mali, the recent collapse occurred in the southern region closer to the capital, Bamako. Gold plays a crucial role in Mali's economy, accounting for over 80% of its total exports in 2021. More than two million people, or over 10% of the population, depend on the mining sector for their livelihoods. The Ministry of Mines estimates that the country has 800 tons of gold deposits.
The collapse of the gold mine highlights the need for stricter regulations and safety measures in Mali's artisanal mining sector. It is essential for the government to ensure the wellbeing of miners and take steps to prevent future accidents. Additionally, efforts should be made to curb the influence of illicit mining activities that could potentially fund extremist groups in the country.