Côte d'Ivoire's Tortiya City Honors Former SAREMCI Workers

The city of Tortiya in Côte d'Ivoire's Niakara department recently held a ceremony to honor its former workers of the Société anonyme de recherches et d'exploitations minières de Côte d'Ivoire (SAREMCI). The event, organized by Karidia and Fatoumata Traoré, known as the "Fantastiques jumelles de Tortiya," brought together former workers, their families, administrative and municipal authorities, traditional leaders, and community representatives.

Between 1947 and 1974, SAREMCI's industrial diamond mining activities significantly impacted Tortiya's history. The city had substantial infrastructure, including a power plant, treatment plant, and airport. The mining activities attracted people from various regions of Côte d'Ivoire and neighboring countries, making Tortiya a cosmopolitan city. At its peak, the mine produced around 172,000 carats of diamonds per year, contributing significantly to the country's diamond production.

The diamond mining industry in Tortiya produced approximately 4.5 million carats, establishing it as one of the country's primary diamond-producing centers. However, the industry's decline in the 1970s marked a new phase in the city's history. The ceremony aimed to preserve the city's diamond mining past and acknowledge the contributions of its pioneers. Karidia Traoré expressed gratitude to those who participated in the mining adventure, including those no longer alive.

The event included a symbolic transmission of the development flame to Karidia Traoré by four elderly doyens who witnessed the period. This gesture represented the desire to pass on the memory of the pioneers and the values that built the community to new generations. Touré Amed Bouah, the ceremony's sponsor and president of SOPHIA Immobilier's board of directors, praised the initiative for preserving collective memory.

Bouah highlighted that the former workers' contributions went beyond diamond mining, impacting education, healthcare, and family living conditions. The second deputy mayor, Lamine Coulibaly, and the sub-prefect urged the population to preserve unity and solidarity, considered fundamental values of the multicultural city. The ceremony demonstrated the importance of acknowledging the city's history and the people who shaped it.

The initiators of the ceremony aimed to emphasize that Tortiya's history is based on both the wealth extracted from its soil and the work, courage, and sacrifices of those who contributed to its development. The event served as a tribute to the former workers and their families, recognizing their role in shaping the city's identity.

The city of Tortiya continues to honor its past, acknowledging the significance of its diamond mining heritage and the people who contributed to its growth. The ceremony marked an essential step in preserving the city's collective memory and promoting unity among its residents.

Key points

• The city of Tortiya produced around 4.5 million carats of diamonds during the SAREMCI mining era.
• The diamond mining industry significantly impacted Tortiya's history and development.
• The ceremony aimed to preserve the city's collective memory and promote unity among its residents.