A total of 43 people mostly consisting of female individuals died when a mine shaft at an artisanal gold operation in western Mali collapsed on Saturday according to union verification.
The disaster happened in the gold-rich Kayes area near Kenieba during searches of abandoned open-pit sites which industrial companies had previously operated. The miners succumbed to death after the ground collapse which covered them with enormous quantity of rubble Taoule Camara disclosed as Secretary General of the National Union of Gold Counters and Refineries (UCROM).
The Mines Ministry representative confirmed the occurrence of the collapse in the area spanning from Kenieba to Dabia. Official authorities have not issued a complete report regarding the scene while rescue teams work at the location. 
The mountainous region of West Africa supports artisanal mining as its main economic sector due to worldwide demand for metals together with increasing gold prices. Uncontrolled industry regulations in mining produce numerous hazardous accidents which result in multiple fatalities each year.
A mining tunnel collapse in southwestern Mali caused the death of 13 miners including children and female workers during the previous month. The ongoing hazardous mining conditions demonstrate the threats that unprotected small-scale miners encounter in their operations.
The recent disaster assessment has intensified concerns about artisanal mining risks which demands more formal regulations for worker protection.
