African Women in Mining Safety Observatory (WiM-Africa Initiative)

Project M-Safe | Silent 15 Safety Reporting Initiative

Mining communities across Africa play a vital role in the continent’s economy and global mineral supply chains. However, many mining sites—particularly in artisanal and small-scale mining areas—operate under difficult and sometimes unsafe conditions.

Women are often among the most vulnerable participants in these environments, frequently working in ore processing, transportation, and other roles around unstable pits and hazardous areas.

To strengthen safety, accountability, and policy reform, Women in Mining Africa (WiM-Africa) has established the African Women in Mining Safety Observatory, a platform designed to document safety incidents and risks affecting miners and mining communities across Africa.

Why Reporting Matters

Many accidents in mining communities go undocumented, especially in artisanal mining areas where reporting systems are limited.

When you report incidents and unsafe conditions, you help: document accidents affecting miners and women in mining communities, identify dangerous mining practices and high-risk sites, support evidence-based policy reforms, strengthen responsible mineral supply chains, improve safety awareness across mining communities. Your report contributes to a continental effort to improve safety and accountability in mining.

What You Can Report