Many undocumented foreigners responsible for illegal mining in Nigeria, says Al-Makura

Rapid urbanization has encouraged illegal sand mining on a large scale and sparked a global wave of gang violence. In Kenya, the practice has taken a serious environmental toll, impacting the local communities which have been battling with droughts.

Portia Malele, Manager for Mining, Drill and Blast, at Kumba Iron Ore’s Sishen mine joins CNBC Africa to share her career journey in the male dominated mining industry.

The soldiers died from toxic fumes while trying to blow up an illegal gold mining installation underground. France has deployed hundreds of troops to French Guiana's remote jungle to clamp down on the criminal activity.

Many challenges of Nigeria's mining sector

In southern India, deadly monsoon rains also caused by mining

Nigeria needs to admit it can't manage illegal mining- Ekweremadu

Many undocumented foreigners responsible for illegal mining in Nigeria, says Al-Makura

Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Olalekan Adegbite, is worried about the drop in mining applications in the country.

There are millions of asteroids in our solar system. Because some are full of materials that are rare on Earth, they have been valued at stupendous amounts. But the most valuable resource in space may be something that's abundant back on the ground.

As the UN COP25 climate change conference opens in Madrid, we focus on the issue of deforestation. The Amazon rainforest - a major climate regulator - is under immense strain from logging, mining and farming activities. We take you to France's part of the Amazon, in French Guiana. Gold mining - by big companies and small extractors but also thousands of illegal miners - is accused of playing a role in destroying the forest there. Our colleagues from France 2 report, with FRANCE 24's Malcolm Surer.

After Sierra Leone's biggest iron ore mine abruptly closed, the residents of Lunsar have struggled to make a living and fear their home is becoming a ghost town.

Uganda's Karamoja region is rich in natural resources. With better security, major mining conglomerates have come in and the labor union, Karamoja Miners Association, ensures they do not grab lands.