A collapse at an illegal gold mine in western Mali on Saturday resulted in 43 fatalities, mainly among women. Victims were looking for gold scraps in abandoned pits when the earth gave way. The incident highlights the dangerous and unregulated nature of artisanal mining in the region.

On Saturday, a catastrophic incident in western Mali led to the deaths of at least 43 individuals, predominantly women, when an illegal artisanal gold mine collapsed. The tragedy occurred near Kenieba, located in the gold-rich Kayes region. Victims were extracting scrap gold from open-pit areas abandoned by industrial miners when the ground gave way beneath them.

This incident underscores the perilous conditions surrounding artisanal mining in Mali. Despite its growing economic importance, this unregulated sector remains fraught with dangers. Recent fatal accidents reveal the urgent need for safety measures and regulations to protect those who risk their lives in search of gold.

Original Source: www.financialexpress.com