Bamako, February 16, 2025 – A gold mine collapse in eastern Mali has killed at least 42 people and injured many others, according to Malian television and local officials. The accident occurred in Bilali Koto, a mining site in the Kenieba district, late on Saturday night.
Second Major Mining Disaster This Year
This is the second major mining accident in Mali this year. On January 29, a landslide in the Koulikoro region killed several gold miners, most of them women.
Mohamed Dicko, the prefect of Kenieba, confirmed the latest incident and said the death toll of 42 is expected to remain final.
Mine Run by Chinese Nationals
Local leader Falaye Sissoko stated that the landslide occurred at a site operated by Chinese nationals. Authorities are investigating whether the mine was operating legally.
In January 2024, another mine collapse near Bamako killed over 70 people, highlighting ongoing safety concerns in Mali’s mining sector.
Unregulated Mining and Security Concerns
Mali is among Africa’s top three gold producers, with mining contributing over 80% of total exports in 2021, according to the US Department of Commerce. The sector supports more than 2 million people, accounting for 10% of the country’s population.
Artisanal gold mining produces around 30 tonnes of gold annually, representing 6% of Mali’s total gold output. However, unregulated mines remain highly dangerous, and there are growing concerns that profits from illicit mining in northern Mali could be financing extremist groups.
