The Guinean government has taken a strong stance against the uncontrolled and illegal exploitation of gold in the Siguiri prefecture. Foreign Minister Morissanda Kouyaté addressed the diplomatic corps in Guinea, outlining the reasons behind the government's decision to ban the practice. He emphasized the devastating impact of uncontrolled gold mining on the environment, local populations, and infrastructure. The minister also highlighted the involvement of nationals from several countries in these activities.
Minister Kouyaté rejected the term "clandestine" for foreign nationals involved in illegal gold mining, stating that some have openly claimed their presence in Guinea. He cited an example of a young man who publicly declared his intention to exploit Guinea's resources and return to his home country. The minister emphasized that the government will not tolerate the destruction of Guinea's territory and resources. He also presented statistics on individuals arrested for involvement in illegal gold mining.
According to Minister Kouyaté, 249 Chinese and 409 Burkinabé nationals were among those arrested for illegal gold exploitation. He also mentioned that nationals from Mali, Côte d'Ivoire, Togo, Ghana, Nigeria, Benin, Vietnam, India, Sierra Leone, and Cameroon were involved. The minister stated that judicial proceedings have been initiated against these individuals for various offenses, including illegal mining, environmental degradation, and human trafficking.
The Guinean government has opted for diplomatic channels in some cases to address the issue. Minister Kouyaté mentioned that Malian nationals were handed over to their consular representatives. However, he expressed concern that the measures taken so far have not been sufficient to eradicate the problem. New groups of miners have reportedly returned to the Siguiri goldfields, indicating a persistent challenge for the authorities.
Minister Kouyaté attributed the persistence of the problem to a misinterpretation of Guinea's pan-African stance. He argued that some individuals have mistaken the government's commitment to pan-Africanism for weakness. The minister emphasized that the government's priority is to protect Guinea's territory and resources, which he considers non-negotiable.
The consequences of uncontrolled gold mining extend beyond environmental degradation, according to Minister Kouyaté. He cited the destruction of access roads, obstruction of certain routes, and potential risks to local populations, particularly in terms of emergency evacuations. The minister stressed that these realities justify the government's decision to ban uncontrolled gold exploitation.
In conclusion, Minister Kouyaté called on the diplomatic corps to convey Guinea's position to their respective capitals. He urged them to rely on firsthand observations rather than information spread through social media. The minister reaffirmed Guinea's commitment to protecting its environment and resources, emphasizing that the country's sovereignty in this regard is not negotiable.
Key points
- The Guinean government has banned uncontrolled gold mining due to its devastating environmental and social impacts.
- The government has arrested nationals from several countries for involvement in illegal gold mining.
- The authorities have opted for diplomatic channels to address the issue, but the problem persists.
