Ndassima
Ndassima is a gold mine in Ouaka prefecture in Central African Republic. It is the nation's only industrialized gold mine.
 Ndassima mine in 2014 | |
| Location | |
|---|---|
  Ndassima Location in CAR | |
| Prefecture | Ouaka |
| Country | Central African Republic |
| Coordinates | 6°09′34″N 20°47′36″E |
| Production | |
| Products | Gold |
| Type | Open-pit |
| Owner | |
| Company | de jure: AXMIN Inc. (2006–to present) de facto: UPC (2012–2017), Midas Ressources/Wagner Group/ (2017-present) |
It was taken from the legal owners during the civil war in 2013, before being seized by Wagner Group around 2017.
Description
Ndassima is one of the largest mines in the Central African Republic, covering an area of 138 square miles.[1]
History
Prior to foreign ownership, the mine was dug by hand.[1]
Central African Republic based, Toronto-registered Axmin was given granted a license to operate the mine in 2010.[1]
UPC rebels took control of the mine during the Central African Republic Civil War in 2013.[1]
In June 2013, heavy rains provoked the collapse of the mine, killing 37 miners and injuring many others.[2] On August 22, 2014 the mine collapsed again killing at least 25 people.[3]
Wagner Group took over the mine around 2017, and the mine's owners Axmin reported being notified that their permit to operate the mine was cancelled in 2019.[1] Shortly later the company reported that Midas Ressources was awarded their operating license.[1] Midas brought in heavy equipment and turned the mine into the nation's first industralized gold mine.[1]
In 2021, in Boyo, Wagner Group fighters massacred villagers who were perceived to be aligned with the UPC.[1]
On 10 February 2021 government forces recaptured the mine.[4] Two days later UPC launched an attack on Ndassima which was repelled by army forces with help from Russian mercenaries.[5] Legal ownership of the asset remains in dispute and Axmin still holds the mining convention pending resolution at law.[1]
References
- Inside Wagner, Russia’s Secret War Company | WSJ Documentary, archived from the original on 2023-06-10, retrieved 2023-06-10
- "At least 37 dead as Central African Republic gold mine collapses". Reuters. 24 June 2013. Archived from the original on 14 December 2019. Retrieved 5 July 2021.
- "Rebel-held mine collapses in Central African Republic, killing 25". 22 August 2014. Archived from the original on 4 March 2020. Retrieved 4 April 2020.
- "RCA : affrontement entre les rebelles et les forces de l'ordre à la sortie nord de Bambari sur l'axe Ippy". 11 February 2021. Archived from the original on 11 February 2021. Retrieved 13 February 2021.
- "RCA : reprise des combats vendredi soir à Ndassima entre les rebelles de l'UPC et les FACA appuyés par les mercenaires russes". 13 February 2021. Archived from the original on 13 February 2021. Retrieved 13 February 2021.