Look: Mali gold miners take part in a fashion show as part of the International Gold Fair

A gold miner presents creations as she takes part in a fashion show as part of the first edition of the International Gold Fair, in Bamako. The Princess of Burundi Esther Kamatari, selected 34 women among gold mines workers in southern Mali, to walk down the catwalk for a fashion show organised during the International Gold Fair. The West African country is one of Africa’s biggest gold producers with about 13 mines operated by multinational companies including Barrick Gold , B2Gold and Resolute Mining. Gold represents 15% of Mali's exports and more than 20% of its GDP estimated at nearly US$20 billion.

This combination of pictures shows gold miners posing for a portrait as they prepare to take part in a fashion show as part of the first edition of the International Gold Fair Afrik'Or in Bamako.

Former gold miners kneel in front of the Malian actor and artist Abdou Ouologuem (C) playing the role of the figure of the historical king of Mali Empire, Kancou Moussa, as part of the first edition of the International Gold Fair Afrik'Or, in Bamako.

Gold miners are helped to get ready on the backstage prior to the fashion show.

A dresser helps a gold miner to wear a turban in the backstage prior to take part in a fashion show as part of the first edition of the International Gold Fair, in Bamako.

Mali’s industrial gold production reached 65.2 tonnes in 2020, slightly higher than the previous year’s record production of 65.1 tonnes, mines ministry statistics showed.

A gold miner poses for a portrait.

A dresser helps a gold miner to wear a turban in the backstage.

A gold miner poses for a portrait as she prepares to take part in the fashion show.

A group of gold miners take selfie pictures with a model while waiting in the backstage to get ready for the fashion show.