The disaster occurred near the town of Kenieba in Mali’s gold-rich Kayes region, Taoule Camara, secretary general of the National Union of Gold Counters and Refineries (UCROM), told Reuters.
A tragic mining accident in western Mali which occurred after an artisanal gold mine collapsed on Saturday has claimed the lives of 43 people, mostly women, according to an industry union official.
The disaster occurred near the town of Kenieba in Mali’s gold-rich Kayes region, Taoule Camara, secretary general of the National Union of Gold Counters and Refineries (UCROM), told Reuters.
The victims had descended into abandoned open-pit mines left by industrial miners in search of gold scraps when the ground gave way beneath them, he said.
A spokesperson from the mines ministry confirmed that the accident happened between the towns of Kenieba and Dabia.
However, they refrained from providing further details, stating that ministry teams were still assessing the scene.
The latest incident followed another deadly accident in late January, when 13 artisanal miners, including women and three children, reportedly lost their lives in southwest Mali after a gold-digging tunnel flooded.