Mali Mine Collapse Kills 43, Mostly Women
A catastrophic artisanal gold mine collapse near Kenieba, Mali, claimed the lives of 43 people, predominantly women. The victims were searching for gold in abandoned industrial mine pits when the ground gave way. This incident highlights the dangerous, unregulated practices common in West African artisanal mining, exacerbated by increasing metal demand and prices. A similar tragedy occurred in January, resulting in 13 more fatalities.
John Q. Hosedrinker