In a tragic event in the Kangaba district of Mali, more than 70 individuals lost their lives due to the collapse of an artisanal gold mine, as verified by Karim Berthé, a high-ranking official at Mali’s National Geology and Mining Directorate.

The unfortunate incident took place on January 19, 2024, in the southwestern Koulikoro region, an area that plays a pivotal role in Mali’s artisanal gold mining sector.

As detailed by Oumar Sidibe, a representative for gold miners in Kangaba, there was a distinctive sound followed by the ground vibrating. More than 200 miners were present at the mine at the time of the incident. After a thorough search, a total of 73 bodies were retrieved from the accident site.

Mali, the third-largest gold producer in Africa, relies heavily on artisanal mining, a small-scale, unregulated, and informal mining practice.

Such mining methods frequently lack adequate safety measures, particularly in remote locations, leading to frequent occurrences of such catastrophic accidents. Berthé emphasized the need for government intervention to regulate this sector and avert future calamities.

In response to the mine collapse, Mali’s Ministry of Mines issued a public statement expressing profound regret over the incident. The ministry urged miners and nearby communities to strictly follow safety protocols.

As communicated by Baye Coulibaly, a spokesperson for the ministry, the statement highlighted the persistent problem of non-adherence to safety standards among gold miners. Coulibaly acknowledged the ministry’s previous, unsuccessful efforts to discourage unsafe mining practices.

According to the U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration, the financial influence of gold mining in Mali is significant. The sector was responsible for over 80% of the nation’s total exports in 2021.

More than two million people, equivalent to over 10% of Mali’s population, rely on the mining sector for their livelihood.

Despite its inherent risks, artisanal mining is estimated to yield about 66,000 pounds of gold per year, which accounts for 6% of Mali’s total gold production.

Mali is home to substantial gold reserves, with around 800 tons, or 1.76 million pounds, in deposits. The country has about two million miners spread across 300 artisanal mining sites.