The government of the Central African Republic has officially closed the Zamboye gold mining site in the western region of the country, following a catastrophic landslide that authorities confirm has killed more than 100 people.
Mines Minister Ruffin Benam Beltoungou announced the shutdown order, stating that the action was taken due to severe non-compliance with established mining safety regulations and administrative directives. The closure comes as harrowing new video footage surfaces, capturing the moment of the collapse and the immediate aftermath as surviving miners scrambled through mud and rubble to dig out trapped victims and recover bodies.
The disaster occurred earlier in the week on a Tuesday afternoon at the remote site located near the border with Cameroon. While initial preliminary assessments by government officials released earlier in the week placed the death toll at 49, subsequent rescue and recovery operations revealed a significantly higher fatality count, surpassing 100 deaths alongside numerous injuries and missing persons.
Investigations into the disaster indicate that unauthorized and illegal mining activities had continued at the location despite prior directives restricting access. The government's decision to shut down the site underscores ongoing efforts to enforce regulatory compliance and address safety hazards in the nation's informal mining sector.
Artisanal gold and diamond mining is a critical economic activity across parts of the Central African Republic, but operations frequently take place in remote areas with minimal oversight, creating severe safety vulnerabilities during heavy rains and unstable conditions.
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