By Chidimma Onwuka

At least 40 people were killed after a tunnel collapsed in a gold mine in Mali.

Mining ministry spokesperson Baye Coulibaly told newsmen the provisional death toll was more than 40.

Mining accidents are common in the country as most unregulated miners use unsafe methods to dig for gold.

The ministry said they would investigate the incident further and send a team to the area. Mali is one of the world's biggest exporters of gold.