Mine collapses in Mali
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Mali Mines Ministry has confirmed the tragic death of 43 people due to the collapse of an artisanal gold mine. The incident took place near Kenieba.
Reports indicate that the victims were searching for gold scraps in open-pit areas when the ground suddenly gave way. Artisanal mining is widespread across West Africa and has grown due to increasing demand and high metal prices. However, the industry often operates without proper regulations, leading to frequent accidents and loss of life.
Challenges
This disaster follows another fatal incident last month when 13 artisanal miners, including women and children, lost their lives in a tunnel flooding in southwestern Mali. Mali’s mining sector has been undergoing reforms, with new legislation introduced in August 2023.
The revised laws grant the government a 10% stake in mining projects, with the option to increase its share by 20% within two years of production. Additionally, royalty taxes have been raised from approximately 6% to 10.5%, and companies are now required to allocate a larger portion of new projects—35% instead of the previous 20%—to Malian investors.
While these reforms aim to enhance state benefits and local participation in the mining industry, they also pose challenges for attracting foreign investment. In a contrasting development, UK-based Kodal Minerals recently achieved a significant milestone by producing its first lithium spodumene concentrate at the Bougouni Lithium Project in southern Mali. This marks a step forward in the country’s evolving mining landscape.