Big BreakingBusinessWorld

More Than 70 People Died In Mali Gold Mine Collapse, What Chamber of Mines Said?

Bamako. More than 70 people died after an unregulated gold mine collapsed in Mali. The search continues amid fears that the death toll may increase. Mali Chamber of Mines president Abdoulaye Pona, who was present at the scene, said that about 100 people were present in the mine at the time of the accident.

According to AP report, the accident happened on Friday in Kangaba district of south-western Koulikoro region. However, for the first time on Tuesday, the Mines Ministry spoke about it officially in a statement and expressed fear that ‘many’ miners have been killed in the accident.

Karim Barthe, a senior official at the government’s National Geology and Mining Directorate, confirmed the accident to the AP.

Such accidents are common in Mali

Such accidents are common in Mali, Africa’s number 3 gold producing country. Workers have been accused of ignoring safety measures while working in mines in remote areas.

Barthe said, ‘To avoid such accidents in future, the government should bring a system in the mining sector.’

The Mines Ministry statement expressed ‘deep regret’ over the accident. The ministry appealed to miners and communities living near mining sites to ‘follow safety rules’.

This concern has arisen in recent years

In recent years, there has been concern that profits from unregulated mining in northern Mali could benefit extremists operating in the region. However, this accident happened in southern Mali, near the capital Bamako.

Gold is the most important export of Mali

According to the International Trade Administration with the US Department of Commerce, ‘Gold is by far Mali’s most important export, comprising more than 80% of total exports in 2021. More than 2 million people, or more than 10% of Mali’s population, depend on the mining sector for income.

Show More

Related Articles

Back to top button