The Senegalese government has launched a new initiative to better regulate artisanal gold mining in the Kedougou and Tambacounda regions. The Ministries of Mines and Geology and Armed Forces have signed a partnership agreement, entrusting the military engineering unit with the task of delimiting and securing seven pilot gold mining corridors. This project, valued at 488.4 million FCFA, aims to transform the conditions of artisanal gold mining.
The agreement, signed by Ministers Cheikhou Oumar Seck and Yankhoba Diémé, provides for the development of seven gold mining sites, each covering an indicative area of one square kilometer. Each site will be fenced with a rigid galvanized steel grid, approximately four kilometers long and two meters high, topped with concertina wire and equipped with a gate. The project also includes the provision of essential infrastructure.
The goal of this initiative is to improve the working conditions of artisanal gold miners and reduce the environmental and health risks associated with illegal mining. The sites will be equipped with boreholes, solar installations, toilets, prayer rooms, dining rooms, and crèches. These facilities aim to protect children and alleviate the burden on women gold miners.
The first phase of the project will focus on three sites in the Kedougou region: Ngary, Kaviar, and Sekhoto. The remaining four sites will be developed after the necessary technical, geological, cadastral, land, and environmental validations. According to Minister Cheikhou Oumar Seck, this initiative is crucial for economic sovereignty and security.
Artisanal gold mining is a significant sector in Senegal, providing a living for over 31,000 people. However, the activity is often associated with hazardous working conditions, ecosystem degradation, and water pollution. The government aims to formalize at least 50% of the sector's actors by 2029 and ensure the traceability of artisanal gold production.
Minister Yankhoba Diémé emphasized the security dimension of the project, highlighting the risks associated with illegal gold mining in border areas. The regulation of gold mining will contribute to better territorial control and the prevention of security risks. The military engineering unit's involvement is part of a strategy to pool state resources and strengthen the "Army-Nation" concept.
The success of the partnership depends on the availability of financial resources, inter-service coordination, respect for deadlines, and the involvement of local authorities and communities. The government plans to open 38 gold mining corridors, including ten pilot sites, as part of its strategic roadmap for the mining sector from 2026 to 2029.
Key points
- The Senegalese government has allocated 488 million FCFA to secure seven gold mining sites.
- The project aims to formalize at least 50% of artisanal gold miners by 2029.
- The initiative will improve working conditions and reduce environmental risks associated with illegal gold mining.
