All articles tagged with #artisanal mining
Deforestation and artisanal mining in the Congo Basin are reshaping Ebola’s ecology—bats lose habitat and come into closer contact with humans as forests shrink to mine minerals for smartphones—helping explain the scale of outbreaks like the current one and the 2014 epidemic, and highlighting the role of ecosystem health in pandemic risk.
The Bosumtwi impact crater in Ghana, a well-preserved and scientifically valuable site, faces threats from illegal artisanal gold mining, which risks damaging its environment, scientific integrity, and cultural significance. Urgent protective measures, including satellite monitoring and stricter enforcement, are needed to preserve this natural and cultural treasure.
More than 40 artisanal gold miners were killed in a mine collapse in southwest Mali, highlighting the dangers of unregulated and old-fashioned mining methods in the region. The incident occurred in the Kangaba Cercle in the south-western Koulikoro Region, with the mines ministry stating that the death toll is still provisional. Artisanal mining is a common activity in West Africa, and the rising demand for metals has led to an increase in such operations, often resulting in deadly accidents due to the lack of compliance with safety standards.
More than 70 people have died in a collapse at an artisanal gold mine in southwest Mali, with small-scale unregulated mines continuing to attract thousands of gold miners. The government has urged compliance with safety requirements and expressed condolences to the families affected. Mali, Africa's third-largest gold producer, relies heavily on the mining sector, with gold comprising over 80 percent of total exports in 2021. Despite the dominance of foreign mining groups, artisanal mines persist, posing dangers and often involving child labor, prompting calls for better regulation and safety measures in the sector.