Metro

Mali: Mines ministry confirms over 40 killed in artisanal mine collapse

Published

10 months ago

January 24, 2024

The mines ministry in Mali has confirmed that more than 40 artisanal gold miners were killed in southwest Mali last week after the shaft they were working in collapsed.

Last Monday, the shaft in which over forty artisanal gold miners were working collapsed in southwest Mali.

Artisanal miners frequently employ antiquated and unregulated ways of digging, and deadly accidents frequently occur. Much of West Africa is home to artisanal mining, which has grown in popularity recently as a result of rising metal prices and growing demand.

Mali’s natural resource industry is dominated by gold, and according to some statistics, the country produces the fourth most gold in Africa. More than 80% of Mali’s total exports in 2021 will be made up of gold, making it the country’s most important export.

The mines ministry said in a statement on Tuesday that the event in Mali happened on Friday at a location in the Kangaba Cercle in the southwest Koulikoro Region; the statement did not mention the number of deaths. The death toll is still preliminary, according to ministry spokesman Baye Coulibaly, who made the announcement over the phone on Wednesday.

“Gold panners have dug galleries without complying with the required standards, and we have advised them against it on several occasions in vain,” Coulibaly said.

He said that in order to gather additional information about the disaster, the ministry would be dispatching a mission to the Kangaba area on Thursday.

Data from the Ministry of Mines indicates that six tonnes of gold were produced in 2023 at artisanal mines in Mali.
As one of the top producers of gold in Africa, Mali is home to several mining firms, such as Hummingbird Resources (HUMR.L), B2GOLD (BTO.TO), Resolute Mining (RSG.AX), and Barrick Gold (ABX.TO).

With over half of all tax receipts from gold mining last year and over 9% of the GDP in 2021 and 2022, the industry is a key component of the nation’s economy.

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Metro

World Bank pledges $3b to support Zambia’s development goals

Published

15 hours ago

November 14, 2024

Isaac Dachen

The World Bank Group has pledged to avail Zambia with approximately $3 billion to support the country’s development goals under the new Country Partnership Framework (CPF) for 2025-2029, with nearly half of the funds already disbursed.

World Bank Country Manager, Achim Fock, who made this known at the CPF launch at the Mulungushi Conference Centre in Lusaka on Wednesday, outlined the global lender’s focus areas, which included enhancing jobs, human capital, and climate resilience.

Fock highlighted that $200 million had been approved to strengthen Zambia’s social protection programs, including the Refugee and Host Community Project.

He also expressed optimism for upcoming approvals, including the Climate and Economic Resilience Financing and the Zambia-Tanzania Interconnector.

Zambia’s Finance and National Planning Minister, Situmbeko Musokotwane, who also spoke at the event, noted that 2.3 million Zambian households have so far benefited from social protection interventions such as the Cash for Work Programme, emphasizing the government’s commitment to safeguarding lives amid crises like the recent drought.

Musokotwane further reiterated the government’s commitment to protecting lives during times of crises such as the recent drought.

“More than two thirds of the Zambian population was affected by the drought. It was the government’s view that the first priority was to save lives,” Musokotwane stated.

Metro

Chinese mining giant CNMC set for $1.6 billion investment in Zambia

Published

2 days ago

November 13, 2024

Isaac Dachen

A Chinese mining giant, China Nonferrous Metal Mining Company (CNMC), has announced the investment of over $1.6 billion in Zambia, following successful discussions with President Hakainde Hichilema at the State House on Tuesday.

CNMC Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Wen Gang, who held the discussions with Hichilema along with the Chinese Ambassador to Zambia, Han Jing, confirmed the company’s commitment to furthering Zambia’s economic development.

“We are actively investing in critical sectors of Zambia’s economy,” Gang said after the meeting.

He noted that CNMC was currently pumping water from Shaft 28 at Luanshya Copper Mine, where 29.9 million cubic liters have been cleared as part of intensified dewatering efforts, adding that the company plans to inject an additional $200 million to develop a greenfield mine on the Copperbelt.

President Hichilema who welcomed CNMC’s commitment, highlighted the potential economic impact of the firm’s investment which will include job opportunities for Zambians.

“This $1.6billion investment, alongside advanced technology and expansion, will extend operations and create more jobs and opportunities for Zambians, especially in mining contracting and supply,” the President said.

He also expressed gratitude to Chinese President Xi Jinping and the Chinese government for their shared commitment to fostering growth and cooperation between the two countries.