RCA/CAMEROUN: 72 hours after the collapse of a mine, operations suspended
Seventy-two hours after a deadly landslide at a gold mine in Zamboi, a border village between the Central African Republic and Cameroon, search efforts continue for survivors and affected communities are still struggling to recover from the tragedy. In Guinea, a senior judge was dismissed by the Supreme Council of the Judiciary for alleged contacts with opposition figure Cellou Dalein Diallo, who is currently in exile. This decision has sparked debate in the country. Meanwhile, a documentary titled 'Ressacs' explores the history and struggles of the Tuareg people, a nomadic group dispersed across five countries and impacted by colonization, droughts, exile, and conflicts. The film, directed by Intagrist el Ansari, won the Human Rights Award at the Carthage Film Festival and was featured in an Africa-focused news segment.
New video footage has emerged showing a deadly landslide that buried dozens of gold miners in the Central African Republic, killing at least 49 people. The incident occurred at the Zamboye artisanal gold mine in Nana-Mambéré prefecture, approximately 50 kilometers from Baboua, near the Cameroonian border. The footage captured the moment the ground gave way, engulfing people who had gathered near the site. Freddy Metchoubatchou, one of the miners present, filmed the collapse from close range, providing a harrowing glimpse of the disaster. The landslide struck on 18 August, with initial reports suggesting multiple underground tunnels may have collapsed, leading to the tragedy. Rescue operations began immediately, but progress was slow due to limited resources and the unstable nature of the site. As of 21 August, rescue workers were still searching for survivors, though the exact number of people underground remained unclear. The mine was temporarily closed by authorities, and a judicial investigation was launched to determine the cause of the collapse and assess potential violations of mining regulations, including illegal mining practices and concealed employment. According to the Mines Ministry, the official death toll stands at 49, comprising 34 Central African nationals, 13 Cameroonians, and two Chadians. Seven injured individuals were transported to a hospital in Baboua. However, local sources estimate the death toll could be significantly higher, with some claiming up to 100 fatalities. Many miners remain unaccounted for, raising concerns about the scale of the disaster and the effectiveness of ongoing recovery efforts. Families of the victims have expressed deep grief and frustration. Roger Bana Nzala, whose brother was among those affected, described the emotional toll of the loss. He and other relatives traveled long distances to reach the mine, hoping to retrieve his body for burial. Despite their efforts, they were unable to locate his remains and returned home empty-handed. Such personal accounts underscore the human cost of the disaster and the urgent need for improved safety measures in the region’s informal mining industry. Rescue operations were halted on Thursday due to the continued instability of the mine and the risk posed by heavy rainfall, which caused flooding in parts of the site. Access to the area was restricted, and security was heightened with the deployment of personnel from the Russian paramilitary group Wagner. This move highlights the growing concern over the safety of the site and the broader risks associated with unregulated mining activities. The incident has reignited discussions about the lack of oversight in the Central African Republic’s artisanal mining sector. Artisanal mining is a critical source of livelihood for thousands, yet many sites operate without adequate safety protocols or regulatory enforcement. The Zamboye mine, known locally as Moscow-RCA, is a large open-pit operation located along the Kadei River, which borders Cameroon. Similar incidents have occurred in the past, including a fatal collapse at the Be-Mbari gold mine near the Cameroonian border in June, which claimed dozens of lives. Civil society activists have called for stronger government intervention to improve safety standards and enforce existing regulations. Crescent Beninga, a local activist, noted that such tragedies are not uncommon and questioned whether meaningful steps have been taken to prevent future disasters. The recent collapse adds to mounting pressure on authorities to address systemic issues within the mining industry, ensuring that the rights and safety of workers are protected. As investigations continue and recovery efforts persist, the focus remains on understanding the causes of the landslide and implementing reforms to prevent similar incidents. With the mine temporarily closed and the situation remaining volatile, the community awaits further developments that may lead to lasting change in how mining operations are managed in the region.
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