Mali: At least 16 die in mine collapse

AT LEAST 16 people had been killed following the collapse of a shaft in an artisanal gold mine 130km south of Mali’s capital, Bamako, on Saturday, the country’s mines ministry said late on Tuesday. Ten of those killed were miners from neighbouring Guinea, while the other six were Malian citizens, the ministry said. Eight other people had been injured in the accident. The government did not provide further details. Artisanal mining is on the rise in Mali as neighbours such as Ghana, Senegal and Burkina Faso have imposed limitations on the activity, pushing more mineworkers into Mali. Mali produced 67.4 tons of gold last year due to growth in artisanal mining, making it Africa’s biggest producer after South Africa and Ghana. The government has, however, tried to control artisanal mining by imposing a ban on activities during the rainy season from June to October, when accidents are frequent because the soil is wet and loose. – Reuters