CAR government shuts illegal gold mine after collapse kills over 100

Following a fatal collapse at the Zamboye gold mining site that killed more than 100 individuals, the Central African Republic’s government moved to seal the operation. Ruffin Benam Beltoungou, the minister responsible for mines and geology, explained that the closure was due to non-compliance with mining regulations and administrative directives. Although the mine had been officially shut, illegal miners continued to work there, increasing the risk.

The incident underscores the country’s weak oversight of small-scale mining, a sector that many depend on for livelihood. Rescue teams faced difficulties because of insufficient expertise and equipment for a disaster of this magnitude. Quentin Ngbouando, head of the civil-society group I Gwe, noted that the miners were operating outside the legal framework, making the minister’s action expected.