A small village in Sierra Leone’s Eastern Province is reeling after a deadly mining accident claimed the lives of two teenage boys. Sixteen-year-old Mohamed Bangura and 17-year-old Yayah Jenneh were buried alive when the makeshift gold pit they were digging collapsed. Villagers gathered at the local funeral home to mourn, their grief compounded by disbelief and anger over the continuing dangers of artisanal mining.
The boys had left their homes in Nyimbadu seeking extra income for their families. Their deaths mark the third fatal mining accident in the region in four years, bringing the total number of child fatalities in similar incidents to at least five. Headteachers and child protection activists warn that growing numbers of children are missing school to work in informal gold mines, a trend driven by extreme poverty and limited employment options.
Historically, Sierra Leone’s Eastern Province has been a hub for diamond mining. However, as diamond reserves dwindled, informal gold mining has proliferated. These artisanal sites—often located on farmland, riverbeds, and even former graveyards—are largely unregulated and can reach depths of up to four meters (13 feet). Similar unmonitored mining activities across Africa frequently result in fatal collapses.
For families in Nyimbadu, small-scale farming and petty trade provide minimal income. Gold mining offers a rare opportunity to earn extra money, but it comes with severe risks. Yayah’s mother, Namina Jenneh, a widow of six children, admitted she introduced her son to mining, unaware he would enter such a dangerous site. Efforts to rescue the boys after the collapse were unsuccessful.
Despite the tragedy, child miners return to pits the following day, driven by necessity. Seventeen-year-old Komba Sesay, who aspires to become a lawyer, works long hours mining gold to support his mother and continue his education. On most days, his earnings barely reach $3.50—less than half the country’s minimum wage—though occasional finds can bring a rare windfall of $35.
The phenomenon is not limited to children. Teachers have also been reported leaving classrooms to mine alongside students, lured by potential income far surpassing government salaries. Mining camps have expanded into towns, highlighting the rapid growth of informal operations.
The Sierra Leonean government maintains that it is prioritizing education, allocating approximately 8.9% of GDP to the sector, including school-feeding programs and teacher subsidies. Nevertheless, local activists stress that without viable alternatives for earning a living, children will continue to risk their lives in hazardous pits.
For the families of Mohamed and Yayah, the loss is devastating. As Sahr Ansumana, a child protection activist, notes, “It is not just the loss of two young lives—it is the erosion of opportunity for an entire generation. Immediate help, not just promises, is needed.”
