The government of Guinea has taken a firm stance against illegal gold mining in the Siguiri region, following the inauguration of the Nimba Gold Refinery in Conakry. On November 2, authorities issued a joint communiqué reiterating the ban on artisanal gold mining, citing environmental degradation and destruction of agricultural land and vegetation. The government has deployed military units, gendarmerie, police, and customs to enforce the ban and prevent the use of heavy machinery, explosives, and chemicals.
The decision to crack down on illegal mining comes as the government seeks to promote industrial and semi-industrial mining, which will supply the new gold refinery in Gbessia. According to the authorities, the uncontrolled mining activities have resulted in soil destruction, pollution, and sanding of rivers, including the Niger, Djoliba, Tinkisso, and their tributaries. The government has established checkpoints on roads and rivers to prevent the transportation of heavy machinery and chemicals used in illegal mining.
The government has warned that anyone found to be engaging in or supporting illegal mining activities will face prosecution. Foreigners found to be in the country irregularly will be subject to deportation. The authorities have also announced that the purchase and sale of gold produced in the region can only be carried out by authorized dealers. The measures are aimed at protecting the environment, preserving natural resources, and ensuring that mining activities are carried out in accordance with the law.
The deployment of military forces has already led to a mass exodus of foreign miners, including Burkinabè, Malians, Ivoirians, and Béninois. Several makeshift shelters used by illegal miners have been dismantled and destroyed by security forces in Kourémalé and Diatéla. According to a source in Siguiri, the situation is being monitored by district presidents, but there have been reports of irregularities and scams.
The government has condemned the spread of "subversive" images and videos on social media, which it claims are aimed at discrediting the operations. Authorities have assured the public that the operations are being carried out in accordance with the law and with professionalism. Measures have been taken to ensure the free movement of people and goods.
As part of the crackdown, 22 administrative, civil, and military officials have been banned from leaving the country as part of an investigation into environmental damage, complicity, and corruption. Those banned include the interim governor of Siguiri, prefects, and sub-prefects. The investigation is being led by the prosecutor special near the Court of Repression of Economic and Financial Infractions (Crief).
The government's actions have been welcomed by environmentalists and local communities, who have long complained about the damage caused by uncontrolled mining. The authorities have emphasized that the measures are not aimed at undermining the importance of the gold sector in the national economy but rather at ensuring that mining activities are carried out sustainably and responsibly.
Key points
- The government has deployed military forces to enforce the ban on illegal gold mining in Siguiri.
- The measures aim to protect the environment and promote industrial and semi-industrial mining.
- Foreigners found to be engaging in or supporting illegal mining activities will face deportation.
