Africa-Press. Authorities in the Bengo province of northwestern Angola have reported the deaths of at least 28 people following a landslide at an illegal gold mining site.
The civil protection and firefighting department stated in a report that rescue teams managed to recover the victims and saved four individuals from beneath the rubble, confirming that search operations at the site concluded after hours of fieldwork.
The authorities added that the incident occurred earlier this week, noting that the ages of the victims ranged from 16 to 35 years, reflecting the significant reliance of young demographics on traditional mining as a source of income amid the challenging economic conditions faced by some rural areas.
Illegal mining in Angola has historically been linked to the diamond sector, which is one of the country’s key natural resources. However, recent years have seen a notable expansion in artisanal mining activities for other minerals, particularly gold and copper.
Observers indicate that the rise in global gold prices has driven many local residents to work in unlicensed sites, often without protective equipment or engineering oversight, increasing the risks of landslides and fatal accidents.
Additionally, the Angolan government’s efforts to diversify the mining sector and reduce dependence on diamonds have opened the door for new investments in the extraction of various minerals, although this has also coincided with the proliferation of unregulated mining activities in some regions.
