Full Breakdown
Deadly Zamboye Mine Collapse Highlights Perils of Artisanal Gold Mining
8/22/2026, 7:57:53 AM
The Collapse and Immediate Aftermath
On August 18, 2026, a landslide struck an artisanal gold mine in Zamboye, Nana-Mambéré prefecture, CAR, near the Cameroon border. The failure of several underground tunnels caused an avalanche that buried miners at the open-pit site. Rescue teams arrived that evening, but the debris hampered recovery and the chance of finding survivors quickly diminished.
Background: Artisanal Mining in the Central African Republic
Artisanal mining provides income for thousands in the CAR’s western provinces. Pits are hand-dug, several metres deep, and lack reinforcement. The practice is largely unregulated, leading to frequent cave-ins and landslides. Similar incidents occurred at Be-Mbari (June 2026), Ngourroum (March 2026) and Kinyeme (June 8, 2026), where at least eight miners died.
Casualties and Numbers
- Local Red Cross volunteers and a senior mining-association official reported more than 100 bodies recovered by August 19, 2026.
- Some outlets cited 107 bodies.
- CAR Mines Minister Rufin Benam-Beltoungou announced on August 20, 2026 that 49 people had been confirmed dead: 34 Central Africans, 13 Cameroonians and two Chadians.
- The Cameroonian Tribune confirmed at least four Cameroonians among the dead.
The exact number of miners present remains unknown, and officials say the toll could rise as recovery continues.
Official Responses
- Rufin Benam-Beltoungou, CAR Mines Minister, expressed condolences, warned miners about unsafe practices, ordered the immediate suspension of mining at Zamboye, and announced a judicial investigation.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The ground completely collapsed and buried people,” — Cedric Mbango
- “Safety conditions are not ensured at these sites,” — Chekoua Justin Landry
- “The walls of these pits are not stabilized, and with the rains, landslides can happen easily.” — Abdon Adamou, mayor of Garoua-Boulai
Conflicting Reports and Gaps
Sources differ sharply on the casualty count. Red Cross volunteers and a mining-association official reported a toll exceeding 100, while the Mines Minister provided a lower, officially verified figure of 49. No single source has confirmed the exact number of miners present, and the precise cause—tunnel collapse alone or combined with heavy rain and unstable pit walls—remains under investigation.
Ongoing Investigation and Mine Suspension
The Baboua public prosecutor’s office opened a judicial inquiry to determine the cause, identify victims, and assess criminal liability. The CAR government has ordered the temporary closure of the Zamboye mine pending the investigation’s outcome. Cross-border coordination with Cameroonian authorities continues to repatriate bodies and treat injured miners. Further updates are expected as rescue operations progress.
