Scores of people have died in the West African nation of Mali after an informal gold mine collapsed last week, the country’s Ministry of Mines said on Wednesday, highlighting the risks that countless artisanal miners face in one of Africa’s largest gold-producing countries.
Several West African countries have experienced a new boom in informal mining, also known as artisanal mining, over the past two decades.
It has provided a livelihood to thousands of people, fed trafficking routes and attracted armed groups.
In northern Mali, for instance, Tuareg rebels and insurgents affiliated with Al Qaeda control mining sites.
About six tons came from artisanal mining.
Persons:
Seydou Traoré
Organizations:
country’s Ministry of Mines, Associated Press, Al
Locations:
West African, Mali, Bamako, Al Qaeda