Silent 15 of Bilalikoto: Africa Remembers 48 Women Lost in Deadly Artisanal Mining Tragedy

Tears swept across the continent as Women in Mining Africa (WiM-Africa) marked Silent 15 of Bilalikoto a solemn day of remembrance for women killed in deadly mining disasters across Africa.

The commemoration follows the horrific February 15, 2025, mine collapse in Bilalikoto, Mali, where more than 48 artisanal miners mostly women were buried alive while searching for a means of survival. They left home to provide for their families but never returned.

Bilalikoto, however, is only one of many tragedy sites. From mining communities in Ghana and the Democratic Republic of Congo to Zimbabwe, Nigeria and Kenya, unsafe artisanal pits have increasingly become death traps. Across the continent, dozens of women working in hazardous, informal mining sites have lost their lives in repeated collapses.

WiM-Africa insists these incidents are not accidents but predictable disasters caused by neglect, poor regulation and systemic failure.

According to the organisation, thousands of women across Africa continue to work in dangerous, unregulated mining environments without protective equipment, safety training, emergency response systems or insurance cover. Many operate outside formal legal frameworks, exposed by weak enforcement and poor oversight.

The group is now demanding urgent action from African governments, mining companies, mineral buyers and development partners. Its calls include the formalisation of artisanal mining, strict enforcement of safety regulations, compensation for bereaved families, and stronger accountability across mineral supply chains.

“As Africa races to supply the minerals powering global industries and the energy transition, it must not forget the blood at the source,” the organisation said. “Women should not die to fuel the world’s economies.”

For many families, the pain of Bilalikoto remains raw. And with every new collapse, the question grows louder: how many more lives must be lost before Africa’s mines are made safe?

Silent 15 of Bilalikoto is not just a memorial — it is a warning.