Goldmine Collapse in Mali Kills at Least 48

An illegally operated mine in western Mali collapsed on Saturday, highlighting ongoing safety and regulatory challenges in the country's mining sector.

• The collapse occurred at a goldmine in the Kenieba district of western Mali, with reports confirming at least 48 fatalities, including women and children.
• The site was an abandoned mine previously operated by a Chinese company and was being used illegally at the time of the incident.
• Mali is one of Africa's top gold producers, but unregulated artisanal mining is widespread, often resulting in fatal accidents due to unsafe practices.
• This marks the second deadly mining accident in Mali this year, following a January landslide that killed at least 10 people in the southern Koulikoro region.
• Concerns persist that profits from unregulated mining may be funding extremist groups, while over 10% of Mali's population depends on the mining sector for their livelihood.

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