Audio By Carbonatix
Mali has suspended artisanal gold mining activities during the June to September rainy season to protect workers from landslides, the West African country's mines ministry said on Tuesday.
A spokesperson for the ministry told Reuters that meteorological services have forecast heavy rains from June 15 to September 30.
"The reason for this (suspension) is quite simply safety," the spokesperson said in a text message to Reuters.
In March, the government of Africa's second-largest gold producer suspended the granting of new artisanal mining permits to foreigners after a couple of accidents left dozens dead.
Artisanal mining is a common activity across much of West Africa and has increased in recent years due to growing demand for the precious metal and rising prices.
Deadly accidents are frequent as artisanal miners often use old-fashioned and unregulated methods of digging.
Mali's gold production plunged 23% to around 57 metric tons last year, of which about 6 tonnes came from artisanal miners.
Latest Stories
-
Big Push sole-sourced contracts: NDC has ‘reset’ Ghana for the worse – Baffour Awuah
9 minutes -
Roads Minister’s response to our report was ‘hollow’ – Sulemana Braimah
35 minutes -
NDC committed to ending sole-sourcing abuse – Alhassan Suhuyini
43 minutes -
Big Push is government’s biggest intervention to fix Ghana’s roads – Alhassan Suhuyini
46 minutes -
A firm awarded sole-sourced Big Push contract has 4 workers; another has just one – Sulemana Braimah
1 hour -
One firm awarded a Big Push sole-sourced contract was created in January 2025 – Sulemana Braimah
1 hour -
Procurement Specialist says Value for Money Office is unnecessary, warns it’ll create confusion
1 hour -
Inter Miami name stand after Argentina great Messi
2 hours -
Value for Money Office should be part of PPA – Baffour Awuah
2 hours -
Kofi Bentil blames leadership failures, not law, for procurement problems in Ghana
2 hours -
Academic City’s Tech Expo showcases innovative technologies to tackle galamsey
2 hours -
Gov’t actions contradict its own accountability pledges – Manhyia South MP
2 hours -
90% of contracts in 2016 were awarded through sole sourcing by NDC – Baffour Awuah claims
2 hours -
CFY Partners Managing partner Felix Tamattey, honoured at 11th Corporate Ghana Hall of Fame Awards
2 hours -
Academic City president Prof. McBagonluri named among Africa’s top education leaders
2 hours