The African Minerals Strategy Group (AMSG) has called for stronger regulation and improved safety standards in artisanal and small-scale mining following the reported deaths of more than 100 miners in a gold-mining site collapse in Zamboye, Central African Republic.
Chairman of the group, Dele Alake, in a statement, described the incident as a profound tragedy that should “trouble the conscience” of the African continent.
Alake extended condolences to the government and people of the Central African Republic, particularly the families of the victims, describing the deceased as breadwinners, fathers, sons and members of their communities.
He said the tragedy highlighted the dangers associated with illegal and unregulated mining, which, beyond depriving African countries of legitimate revenues and damaging the environment, exposes miners to grave risks.
According to him, the incident is a reminder that behind statistics on illegal mining are young men and women seeking livelihoods, supporting their families and escaping poverty.
“No mineral is valuable enough to justify the loss of a human life,” Alake said.
He called for a balanced approach to artisanal and small-scale mining, stressing the need for governments to enforce laws against illegal mining and criminal networks while creating opportunities for miners to operate legally, safely and productively.
Alake said the AMSG would continue to advocate a continental approach focused on stronger regulation, improved mine-safety standards, responsible formalisation of artisanal and small-scale mining, and greater protection for mining communities.
He added that Africa’s mineral resources should be used to create decent livelihoods rather than expose citizens to preventable deaths.
“This tragedy must not become another statistic that we mourn today and forget tomorrow,” he said.
According to him, Africa’s mineral revolution must value both the mineral resources beneath the continent’s soil and the lives of the people who depend on them.
“We owe the victims of Zamboye more than our condolences. We owe them action,” Alake said.