BAMAKO, Mali — A tragic incident in eastern Mali has resulted in the collapse of a gold mine, leading to the loss of dozens of lives and leaving many others injured, as reported by local officials and media in the Kéniéba district where the disaster took place. This marks the second serious mining accident in the country this year, highlighting ongoing safety concerns in one of Africa’s leading gold-producing nations.
On Saturday night, reports from Malian television detailed the collapse at the Bilali Koto site in the Dabia commune. Initially, the death toll was confirmed at 42, with additional people suffering injuries from the incident. Mohamed Dicko, the prefect representing the government in Kéniéba, assured that this number is expected to be final. He commented on Sunday regarding the tragic event, “The accident occurred yesterday, Saturday, due to a landslide at a site operated by Chinese nationals.” He added that authorities are currently investigating the legality of the mine’s operations.
This incident follows another deadly landslide that occurred less than a month ago, which resulted in multiple fatalities, predominantly among female miners, in the Koulikoro region located in the southern part of Mali. Additionally, last January, an unregulated gold mine near the capital, Bamako, witnessed a collapse that claimed over 70 lives.
Concerns have been mounting in recent years regarding the implications of unregulated mining in northern Mali, particularly the possibility that the profits may bolster extremist groups active in that area. According to data from the International Trade Administration of the U.S. Department of Commerce, gold constitutes Mali’s most significant export, accounting for more than 80% of total exports in 2021. The mining sector provides income to over 2 million individuals, which represents over 10% of Mali’s overall population.
Artisanal gold mining alone is estimated to yield approximately 30 tons annually, contributing around 6% to the country’s overall gold production. This underscores the critical role that both regulated and artisanal mining play in Mali’s economy, despite the apparent dangers that accompany it.
