At least 48 people–including several women and a child–died last Saturday in Western Mali. They were killed in a gold mine collapse, according to local sources which stressed that the search for additional victims is ongoing.

The mine, an illegal operation, experienced a collapse in open shafts that had been abandoned by industrial companies. Victims were buried when the earth caved in, and some fell into the water.

This tragedy is the latest in a series of deadly incidents in Mali's mining sector. In January 2024, at least 73 people died in a similar landslide, and a dozen more lost their lives in January 2025. Other African countries with active informal mining sectors, such as Niger, Guinea, and Burkina Faso, also face significant casualties due to these accidents.

According to the World Bank, gold contributes a quarter of Mali's national budget. The prevalence of informal mining is driven by microeconomic needs and the involvement of entities trading in resources extracted by artisanal miners. These miners often disregard safety regulations, increasing their risk of accidents.