Over 100 miners killed in CAR: Alake warns Africa must not trade lives for mineral wealth

More than 100 artisanal miners have died after a gold mining site collapsed in Zamboye, Central African Republic. The tragedy has prompted the African Minerals Strategy Group (AMSG) to demand stronger safety and regulation across the continent's mining sector.

Dele Alake, chairman of the AMSG, called the incident a tragedy and said Africa must not develop its mineral resources at the cost of human lives. He spoke in a statement issued on Friday in Abuja, where he expressed condolences to the government and people of the CAR, especially the families of the victims.

Illegal mining exposes workers to danger

Alake said the disaster shows the risks faced by people working in illegal and poorly regulated mining operations. He noted that illegal mining deprives governments of revenue, damages the environment, and facilitates the illicit movement of mineral resources. It also exposes miners to unsafe working conditions.

"Behind every statistic about illegal mining are human beings," Alake said. He added that many artisanal miners are trying to earn a living, support their families, and escape poverty. "No mineral resource is worth the loss of human life."

AMSG pushes for formalisation

Alake called for a balanced approach to artisanal and small-scale mining. He said governments must enforce laws against illegal mining while creating legal and safer ways for miners to work.

The AMSG, he said, would continue to advocate for stronger mining regulations, improved safety standards, and the formalisation of artisanal and small-scale mining across Africa. Formalisation would allow small-scale miners to operate legally, access safer working conditions, and contribute to government revenue and local economies.

Alake also urged African countries to ensure that mineral resources create jobs and livelihoods rather than result in preventable deaths. "This tragedy must not become another statistic that we mourn today and forget tomorrow," he said.

He added that Africa's mineral development must protect both its mineral resources and the people who depend on mining for their livelihoods. "We owe the victims of Zamboye more than our condolences. We owe them action."

What this means for Nigeria

For Nigeria, where artisanal mining is widespread, the Zamboye disaster strengthens the case for formalising the sector. Legalising small-scale miners could reduce accidents, boost government revenue from royalties, and curb illegal mineral exports. The AMSG's push for safer standards may also influence mining policy across West Africa, shaping how states regulate the sector.