"Fatal Collapse: Mali Gold Mine Tragedy Claims Over 70 Lives"

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.