At least ten women have lost their lives in a mining accident after a Caterpillar excavator, operated by Chinese miners, overturned on a group of women searching for gold in southwest Mali.
This incident comes just two weeks after a similar tragedy in the Kangaba region, where an artisanal mine collapse claimed at least 13 lives, including women and children.
Eyewitnesses report that in the latest disaster, dozens of women died instantly. Around ten severely injured individuals have been evacuated to a hospital in Kéniéba. The official death toll remains unclear and may rise as search operations continue.
Landslides in Mali’s artisanal mines are common and often fatal. These accidents are largely caused by unregulated mining practices, unsafe equipment, and poor adherence to safety standards.
Additionally, dangerous working conditions and inadequate supervision further endanger artisanal miners; particularly women, who make up a significant portion of the workforce.