Zamboyé gold mine remains closed after deadly collapse

The Zamboyé artisanal gold mine in the Nana-Mambéré prefecture of the Central African Republic remains closed following a deadly collapse on August 18. The shutdown has paralyzed the local economy, which relies heavily on the mine for employment and trade.

The site is located near the border with Cameroon, making the economic impact significant for the regional transit axis involving Bouar, Baboua, and Garoua-Boulaï. While the Ministry of Mines maintains a regulatory framework for mining activities, the incident highlights challenges in enforcing oversight due to the vastness of the territory and economic pressures.

Local residents and workers currently face high levels of uncertainty as authorities conduct investigations and the site remains suspended from operations.