The Kankan Court of First Instance has delivered its verdict on 194 individuals arrested in the prefectures of Kérouané and Siguiri for alleged illegal mining, environmental degradation, and unauthorized mining activities. The court, which began its sessions on November 11, 2026, at the Kankan Court of Appeal, handed down a one-year prison sentence and a 20 billion Guinean franc fine to each of the 132 foreign nationals convicted.
The court also ordered the expulsion of the 132 foreigners from Guinea and banned them from re-entering the country for ten years. In a separate ruling, 27 minors were sentenced to ten days in detention and fined 200,000 Guinean francs each, while six others were acquitted. A child under the age of 13 was also considered, taking into account their different penal responsibilities.
The 132 foreigners were convicted under Article 178 of the Guinean Environmental Code. Their convictions and sentences were handed down in two courtrooms, A and B, under the jurisdiction of the Kankan Court of First Instance. The court proceedings were relocated to the Kankan Court of Appeal due to the large number of defendants.
The fate of the 29 Guinean defendants, including men and women, remains uncertain as their trials continue. The court has yet to deliver a verdict on their cases. All defendants, regardless of nationality, were charged with "illegal mining, environmental degradation, and unauthorized mining activities".
The cumulative fine imposed on the 132 foreigners amounts to 2,640 billion Guinean francs. The court's decision marks a significant step in Guinea's efforts to combat illegal mining and environmental degradation. The trials are ongoing, with a focus on addressing the involvement of both foreign and local individuals in these activities.
The case highlights the challenges Guinea faces in regulating its mining sector and protecting its environment. The government has taken a firm stance on enforcing environmental laws and combating illegal mining activities. Further developments in the case against the 29 Guinean defendants are expected as the trials continue.
The verdicts demonstrate Guinea's commitment to holding individuals accountable for environmental crimes and unauthorized mining activities. The country continues to grapple with the impacts of illegal mining on its environment and local communities.
Key points
- The court fined 132 foreigners a total of 2.64 trillion Guinean francs for illegal mining and environmental degradation.
- The defendants were also sentenced to one year in prison and banned from re-entering Guinea for ten years.
- The trials of 29 Guinean defendants are ongoing, with a verdict yet to be delivered.
