Tuesday 8 April 2025
48 People Killed in Mali Goldmine Collapse
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At least 48 people have been killed in the collapse of an illegally operated goldmine in western Mali, authorities and local sources have said. Mali is one of Africas leading gold producers, and mining sites are regularly the scene of deadly landslides and accidents. Authorities have struggled to control unregulated mining of the precious metal in the country, which is among the worlds poorest.
As per a Police source, the toll at the time of the collapse was 48. Some of the victims fell into the water. Among them was a woman with her baby on her back. A local official confirmed the cave-in, while the Kenieba Goldminers Association also put the death toll at 48. The search for victims was ongoing, the head of an environmental organization said.
This accident took place at an abandoned site formerly operated by a Chinese company. In January, a landslide at a goldmine in southernMalikilled at least 10 people and left many others missing, most of them women. Just over a year ago, a tunnel collapsed at a gold mining site in the same region as this landslide, killing more than 70 people.
Mali is one of the biggest gold producers in the world. Accidents are common in the country as much mining activity is unregulated, with miners using unsafe methods to dig for gold. The mining industry of Mali is dominated by gold extraction but also produces diamonds, rock salt, phosphates, semi-precious stones, bauxite, iron ore, and manganese.
Gold is mined primarily in the southwestern areas of the country, on the Mandingue Plateau. The ancient Malian empire was based on the exploitation of gold, but those deposits were depleted before the advent of colonial rule in the 19th century.
Mali is one of Africa’s leading gold producers, but it has struggled for years with jihadi violence and high levels of poverty and hunger. The military seized power in 2020, and the government has placed foreign mining companies under growing pressure as it seeks to shore up revenues.
In fact, Ghana is Africa’s largest gold producer, 6th largest worldwide and more ounces per km than Nevada. Ghana produced ~4.6 million ounces of gold in 2021, surpassing South Africa’s production of ~4million ounces. Ghana produces more gold per square kilometer thanNevada and holds more estimated reserves than key gold-producing countries like Peru and PapuaNew Guinea. Southern Ghana has been considered one of the worlds most prolific regions for gold discoveries for some time.
Ghanas stable, democratic government supports mining. The mining industry accounts for over 50% of foreign direct investment and is the largest tax-paying sector in the country. Thus, Mining and gold are essential to Ghanas economy and tax base. Gold contributes over 90% of Ghanas total mineral exports and makes up 49% of the country’s total export value.
Ghana features the Prolific Bibiani Gold Belt-location of Newcores Enchi Gold Project, hosts several multi-million-ounce gold deposits. Mines are operated by some of the worlds largest gold companies including Newmont, Gold Fields and AngloGold Ashanti. Ghana offers modern infrastructure and skilled mining labor. The countrys long history of mining has provided a skilled and well-educated mining workforce. English is the primary language, and an English-speaking populace makes business relatively easy to conduct.
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