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Deaths from gold mine collapse in Suriname rise to 14, with 7 people still missing
The number of people killed when an illegal gold mine collapsed in Suriname has risen to 14
Deaths from gold mine collapse in Suriname rise to 14, with 7 people still missing
The number of people killed when an illegal gold mine collapsed in Suriname has risen to 14ByGEROLD ROZENBLAD Associated Press
November 22, 2023, 1:20 AM
PARAMARIBO, Suriname -- The number of people killed when an illegal gold mine collapsed in Suriname rose to 14 on Tuesday, with seven others missing in what is considered the South American country’s worst mining accident.
Rescue crews combed through mounds of earth in hopes of finding survivors as the government launched an investigation into the deadly incident that occurred Monday in the country’s remote southern region.
“We are shocked and offer our condolences to the relatives,” President Chandrikapersad Santokhi said during a short, televised speech.
He said the incident occurred in an area where a gold vein was previously discovered, attracting large groups of illegal miners.
Zijin Mining, a company that operates a legal gold mine in the area, had been meeting with the government just hours before the incident to find solutions to illegal mining at the concession of its subsidiary, Rosebel Goldmines N.V.
Zijin issued a statement on Monday saying it has “repeatedly emphasized the dangers of illegal gold mining.”