Witnesses describe the moment when the earth began to tremble, concluding search operations with the discovery of 73 bodies. The Ministry of Mines had previously confirmed the death of several gold prospectors in a statement released on Tuesday, expressing condolences to the grieving families and urging strict adherence to safety requirements in gold mining activities.
Mali, one of the poorest countries in the world, is a significant gold producer in Africa. Artisanal gold mining sites are regularly scenes of fatal collapses due to the hazardous nature of the activity and the challenges faced by authorities in controlling this precious metal’s artisanal exploitation.
The article also highlights the significance of gold in the Malian economy, representing 10% of the GDP. In 2022, gold alone contributed to 25% of the national budget, 75% of export revenues, and 10% of the GDP. In August 2023, the Malian government adopted a new mining code, allowing the state to hold up to 30% participation in new mining projects, aiming to generate substantial revenue for the annual state budget. Despite the dominance of foreign groups in the Malian mining sector, artisanal mines continue to thrive, attracting thousands of prospectors from the sub-region in search of wealth, despite challenges related to jihadist expansion and political instability.