Central African Republic shuts down collapsed gold mining site that killed more than 100

BANGUI, Central African Republic (AP) — The Central African Republic's government closed a gold mining site on Saturday following a collapse that killed over 100 individuals earlier in the week, citing non-compliance with regulatory procedures. The Zamboye site, located in the western part of the country, was ordered shut down by Ruffin Benam Beltoungou, the minister of mines and geology.

He stated that the site had failed to meet mining standards and administrative directives, and an investigation into the disaster is ongoing.

Several other individuals were injured in the collapse, which highlights the ongoing risks faced by workers in the small-scale mining sector. This particular disaster is one of many that have occurred in the mineral-rich nation, where a significant portion of the population relies on mining for their livelihood. Such mining operations often lack adequate protection for workers and are plagued by weak regulation, leading to tragic outcomes.

The Zamboye site had already been closed before the accident, but illegal miners continued to operate there, working outside of the legal framework. Quentin Ngbouando, the leader of the civil society organization I Gwe, expressed disappointment in the government's decision, stating that the closure was expected and that the illegal miners were operating outside of the legal guidelines.