Reports regarding the exact death toll vary, with local police estimating 48 fatalities, while an industry union leader mentioned 43 casualties. Eyewitness accounts revealed that some individuals were swept into water during the collapse, including a poignant case of a woman carrying her baby.
Mali's rich gold production often coexists with unsafe mining practices due to a lack of regulation. Just last year, a similar tunnel collapse claimed around 40 lives. According to a representative from Mali’s mines ministry, the recent incident occurred at a site that was once operated by a Chinese mining firm. The Malian government is embroiled in conflict over financial negotiations with Barrick, a prominent Canadian mining corporation, having recently seized gold bars valued at $245 million and issuing an arrest warrant for Barrick's CEO.
Mali's rich gold production often coexists with unsafe mining practices due to a lack of regulation. Just last year, a similar tunnel collapse claimed around 40 lives. According to a representative from Mali’s mines ministry, the recent incident occurred at a site that was once operated by a Chinese mining firm. The Malian government is embroiled in conflict over financial negotiations with Barrick, a prominent Canadian mining corporation, having recently seized gold bars valued at $245 million and issuing an arrest warrant for Barrick's CEO.
