The African Minerals Strategy Group (AMSG) has called for stronger regulation and safer mining practices following the reported death of more than 100 artisanal miners in a gold mine collapse in Zamboye, Central African Republic.
This is contained in a statement signed by
Chairman of the African Minerals Strategy Group (AMSG) and Minister of Solid Minerals development, Dr. Dele Alake in Abuja.
According to the statement, Dr. Dele Alake, describes the incident as a tragic reminder of the dangers faced by artisanal miners across Africa.
The statement, expresses condolences to the Government and people of the Central African Republic, particularly the families of the victims.
It says the tragedy should push African countries to take urgent action against illegal and unsafe mining, which puts lives at risk, damages the environment and deprives governments of legitimate revenue.
According to him, the victims were not merely statistics, but fathers, sons, brothers and breadwinners who depended on mining to support their families.
The statement says while governments must enforce laws against illegal mining and criminal networks, they should also create opportunities for artisanal and small-scale miners to operate legally and safely.
The AMSG Chairman promises continuous support for stronger mining regulations, improved safety standards and the formalisation of artisanal and small-scale mining across Africa.
It stresses that no mineral resource was valuable enough to justify the loss of human lives.
The statement urges African governments to ensure that the continent’s mineral wealth creates decent livelihoods and economic opportunities rather than preventable deaths.
“We owe the victims of Zamboye more than our condolences. We owe them action,” Dr Alake states.
