Project M-SAFE: Mining Safety, Accountability, and Formalization for Excellence
On February 15, 2025, at Bilalikoto in Mali, over 48 artisanal women miners tragically lost their lives in a mine collapse—a day now commemorated annually as “Silent 15 of Bilalikoto – Honoring the Fallen.”
This loss is emblematic of the broader crisis in Africa’s mining sector, where inadequate safety measures, unregulated artisanal practices, and a lack of accountability have resulted in over 534 recorded fatalities between December 2017 and February 2025.
In response, Project M-SAFE has been conceived as a call to action, aiming to transform the mining environment by addressing safety, accountability, and formalization challenges head-on.
The project underscores the urgent need for regional reform and coordinated interventions by governments, industry stakeholders, and community organizations to prevent future tragedies and promote sustainable, inclusive mining practices.
Program Objectives and Implementation Strategy
The expected outcomes of Project M-SAFE include a measurable reduction in mining fatalities, enhanced safety standards in mining communities, improved capacity among artisanal miners, and the establishment of robust frameworks for accountability and formalization. This initiative not only commemorates the Silent 15 but also serves as a transformative catalyst for a safer and more sustainable mining future in Africa.
Project M-SAFE will mobilize funding to implement a multi-faceted intervention targeting the root causes of mining-related accidents and fostering safer, regulated artisanal operations. Key components of the project include:
1
Data Collection and Analysis
Conduct a comprehensive study of mine collapse incidents across Africa, with a focus on deriving actionable insights from documented cases.
2
Safety Protocol Development
Collaborate with experts to develop standardized, region-specific safety guidelines for artisanal and small-scale mining operations.
3
Capacity Building and Training
Organize targeted workshops and seminars to educate miners—especially women—on modern safety practices, emergency response, and formalization processes.
4
Stakeholder Engagement and Policy Advocacy
Work with regional, national, and local governments to advocate for stricter regulatory oversight and the adoption of policies that prioritize the safety and economic empowerment of mining communities.
5
Community Outreach and Formalization
Support initiatives that encourage artisanal miners to formalize their operations, ensuring transparency, accountability, and improved working conditions.
5
Public Awareness
Leveraging the Silent 15 of Bilalikoto as a powerful platform to raise awareness and galvanize stakeholders into action.
Implementation Strategy and Expected Outcomes
This initiative is a call to action for all stakeholders—governments, private companies, NGOs, and mining communities—to join forces in protecting lives and building a future where mining operations are safe, regulated, and inclusive.
Project M-Safe will be implemented over three years, and structured in three distinct phases.
In Phase 1 (Year 1), we will focus on comprehensive research, planning, and stakeholder engagement. This phase will involve an in-depth review of historical accident data, current safety protocols, and operational practices in artisanal and small-scale mining across Africa. Extensive consultations will be held with regional, national, and local governments, private companies, mining communities, and women-led organizations to identify key risk factors and develop tailored safety and formalization frameworks.
In Phase 2 (Year 2), our focus will shift to the active implementation of interventions. Key activities will include safety training sessions and capacity-building workshops aimed at enhancing the technical skills and safety awareness of miners, particularly women in mining. We will launch pilot projects in selected mining communities to implement our new safety protocols and formalization processes. Additionally, targeted policy advocacy campaigns will be initiated to support regulatory reforms and ensure that the lessons learned are integrated into national mining policies.
Phase 3 (Year 3) will concentrate on consolidation, evaluation, and expansion. During this phase, we will rigorously assess the impact of our interventions using both quantitative and qualitative metrics. Based on these evaluations, strategies will be refined and successful approaches scaled up across additional regions. This final phase will also reinforce partnerships with governmental bodies and industry stakeholders to secure sustainable, long-term improvements in mining safety and community resilience. Through these concerted efforts, Project M-Safe aims to transform Africa’s mining sector, ensuring that the tragedies symbolized by the Silent 15 serve as a catalyst for lasting positive change.
Get Involved – Join the Movement
We invite you to become an integral partner in transforming Africa’s mining landscape through Project M-SAFE. This initiative is a comprehensive, three-year program designed to reduce mining fatalities, formalize artisanal operations, and empower vulnerable communities—especially women miners—while promoting robust, sustainable practices.
By funding this project, you will directly support critical research, capacity-building workshops, and policy advocacy campaigns that not only save lives but also drive socio-economic development and resilient community growth.
Aligning your investment with global ESG standards and Africa’s Agenda 2063, you have the opportunity to create lasting impact, turning the tragic legacy of the Silent 15 of Bilalikoto into a catalyst for positive change. Join us as we forge a safer, more sustainable future in Africa’s mining sector.