Ndassima
Gold mine in Ouaka preferecture, Central African Republic
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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 | |
  Ndassima Location in CAR | |
| Location | |
|---|---|
| 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, Axmin Inc., during the civil war in 2013 before being seized by Wagner Group around 2017. [1]
Description
Ndassima is one of the largest mines in the Central African Republic, covering an area of 138 square miles.[2]
History
Prior to foreign ownership, the mine was dug by hand.[2]
Central African Republic based, Toronto-registered Axmin was given granted a license to operate the mine in 2010.[2]
UPC rebels took control of the mine during the Central African Republic Civil War in 2013.[2]
In June 2013, heavy rains provoked the collapse of the mine, killing 37 miners and injuring many others.[3] On August 22, 2014 the mine collapsed again killing at least 25 people.[4]
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.[2] Shortly later the company reported that Midas Ressources was awarded their operating license.[2] Midas brought in heavy equipment and turned the mine into the nation's first industrialized gold mine.[2]
In 2021, in Boyo, Wagner Group fighters massacred villagers who were perceived to be aligned with the UPC.[2]
On 10 February 2021 government forces recaptured the mine.[5] Two days later UPC launched an attack on Ndassima which was repelled by army forces with help from Russian mercenaries.[6] Legal ownership of the asset remains in dispute and Axmin still holds the mining convention pending resolution at law.[2]