An illegal gold mine collapsed in Mali this Saturday and more than 40 people were killed most of them women. This collapse Took place near Kéniéba, in Mali's western, gold-rich Kayes region. According to the information, this is Mali's second deadly mining accident in weeks after 10 people were killed when a mining tunnel flooded in January. An industry union leader informed Reuters that 43 people were killed in the fall, while a local police source told AFP that 48 people were murdered."Several of the victims fell into the water. "Among them was a woman carrying her baby on her back," said a local police source.
Mali is one of the world's largest gold producers. Accidents are widespread in the country since most mining activity is unregulated, with miners adopting dangerous ways to dig for gold. The tragedy occurred between the villages of Kéniéba and Dabia, a representative of the nation's mines ministry told Reuters, but he would not provide any other information. According to Reuters, ministry officials are preparing a report on the spot.
According to AFP, the fall occurred on Saturday at an abandoned property previously operated by a Chinese corporation. With the government's approval, Beijing is heavily invested in growing Mali's mining industry. Mali is currently involved in a revenue-sharing dispute with Barrick, a Canadian mining company that is one of the biggest in the country. Last month, the Malian government confiscated gold bars valued at $245 million (£194 million) from Barrick and issued an arrest order for its CEO, Mark Bristow. In an interview with Bloomberg this week, Mr. Bristow expressed "no doubt" that the disagreement would be addressed.
