Mali News

Souleymane Cissé, a pioneering figure in African cinema, has died at the age of 84 in Bamako, Mali, as confirmed by his daughter, Mariam Cissé. She expressed her shock and sorrow over the loss of a man who devoted his life to film and art; the cause of death remains undisclosed. Cissé gained international acclaim in 1987 when his film "Yeelen" won the Jury Prize at the Cannes Film Festival, making him the first sub-Saharan African filmmaker to earn such recognition. His illustrious career lasted over five decades, marked by numerous accolades, including the prestigious Carrosse d'Or awarded by Cannes in 2023. The director's body of work is noted for its complexity and political depth; his first feature film, "Den Muso," was banned in Mali for its controversial subject matter. Cissé was an advocate for government support of the film industry and urged upcoming filmmakers to seek independence from European funding. Just hours before his passing, he appealed to Mali’s military leaders for support in enhancing the nation's cinematic visibility. Mali's Culture Minister, Mamou Daffé, and fellow filmmaker Boubacar Sidibé have paid tribute to Cissé, mourning the loss of "this monument of African cinema.”

At least 48 people were killed in the collapse of an illegally operated gold mine in western Mali, according to local authorities and sources. The incident occurred at a site previously managed by a Chinese company, which has since been abandoned. A police official stated, “The toll today is 48 dead following the collapse,” adding that some victims fell into water, including a woman with her baby. Mali is a significant gold-producing country in Africa, but mining sites frequently experience deadly accidents due to a lack of regulation. An official from the Kenieba goldminers' association corroborated the death toll. The region has witnessed multiple tragedies in the past; a landslide in January resulted in the deaths of at least 10 individuals, while a 2024 tunnel collapse led to over 70 fatalities. The ongoing struggles of authorities to manage unregulated mining activities raise concerns about safety protocols in an industry heavily reliant on artisanal practices amid Mali's impoverished economic landscape.

More than 40 people, primarily women, were killed in a collapse at an illegal gold mine near Kenieba in Mali's Kayes region on Saturday, according to local police reports. The victims had entered open-pit areas left by industrial miners searching for gold scraps when the ground suddenly caved in. A gold miner's union leader confirmed the tragic event to Reuters. This incident marks Mali's second mining disaster in less than a month; at least 10 people perished in a mining tunnel flooding in late January. Sources differ on the death toll from Saturday’s collapse, with local police stating 48 fatalities, while the industry union leader reported 43. A police source also noted that some victims, including a woman with her baby, fell into water during the collapse. Mali, one of the world's largest gold producers, has a history of mining accidents, primarily due to unregulated practices and unsafe mining methods. The incident occurred at a site formerly operated by a Chinese company, as the Malian government faces disputes over revenue-sharing with Barrick Gold, a major mining firm.

At least 48 people were confirmed dead following the collapse of an illegally operated goldmine in western Mali on Saturday, according to local authorities and police sources. This tragic incident, which occurred at a site previously managed by a Chinese company, is one of the latest in a series of mining-related disasters in the region. Mali, a country rich in gold resources, has struggled with the challenges of unregulated mining practices, which often lead to deadly accidents. The local goldminers’ association reported the same death toll of 48, and officials confirmed that some victims fell into the water during the incident. Among those lost was a woman tragically carrying her baby on her back at the time of the collapse. This disaster comes just weeks after a similar landslide in January killed at least 10 individuals, primarily women, demonstrating the ongoing dangers associated with illegal mining operations in this impoverished nation. The search for additional victims is still ongoing, as highlighted by an environmental organization representative.

An illegal gold mine collapse in Mali has resulted in the deaths of at least 48 individuals, according to police sources. The incident occurred in a defunct mine previously operated by a Chinese company, highlighting ongoing safety concerns in the country's mining sector. Mali, despite being one of Africa's leading gold producers, remains one of the poorest nations globally, grappling with widespread poverty. The prevalence of unregulated mining activities has led to frequent and fatal accidents in other similar operations, as miners often work without official permits or safety measures in place. This tragic event underscores the urgent need for improved regulations and oversight in the country’s mining industry to prevent future tragedies. Local authorities are investigating the incident, and efforts are underway to recover any remaining victims and support the affected families. The collapse adds to the growing list of dangers faced by individuals participating in illegal mining, which remains a common livelihood in Mali.

Mali's military government has seized three tons of gold from Canadian mining company Barrick Gold Corporation as part of an escalating legal dispute regarding revenue owed to the West African state. According to an internal letter from Barrick's CEO Mark Bristow, the gold confiscation took place on Saturday and is valued at approximately $180 million. The seizure follows a warning from Mali's senior investigating judge, Boubacar Moussa Diarra, outlining the government's intentions to confiscate the gold. A senior Barrick official confirmed that the gold, extracted from a mine near Kayes, was transported to the capital, Bamako, via plane and truck. The conflict stems from an ongoing dispute over financial obligations, with Mali's government previously issuing an arrest warrant for Bristow on allegations of money laundering, which came without substantiated evidence. Barrick has offered to settle the dispute by paying $370 million. This incident is part of a broader trend, as Mali's military government has intensified pressure on foreign mining companies to increase revenue streams amidst ongoing challenges of poverty and security threats from extremist violence. In November, other executives from foreign mining firms were similarly arrested, with some released after making significant payments to the Malian authorities. Mali is recognized as one of Africa's top gold producers, but its mining industry is grappling with instability and heightened scrutiny under its military leadership.

Mali's military government has seized three tons of gold from Canadian mining company Barrick Gold amid an ongoing legal dispute over revenue sharing, according to an internal letter from Barrick's CEO Mark Bristow. The seizure, which occurred over the weekend, follows warnings from a Malian judge about potential confiscation due to unpaid revenues owed to the state. The gold, valued at approximately $180 million, was taken from a mine near Kayes and transported to Mali's capital, Bamako. The dispute has intensified following a December arrest warrant issued for Barrick's CEO for alleged money laundering, amid claims from the Malian authorities that the company's financial dealings were not transparent. In December, Barrick offered to pay $370 million to resolve the issue, but the Malian government has previously arrested executives from foreign mining companies over similar disputes. This incident highlights the increasing pressure Mali is placing on foreign companies to ensure proper revenue contributions to the state, particularly as the nation deals with economic challenges and internal security issues. Mali has a history of legal and financial disputes with foreign mining entities, which has raised concerns among investors. The current military government, which came to power in 2020, has been noted for its tough stance on mining companies in an attempt to bolster national income.