In brief
On November 3, the Guinean government announced a comprehensive ban on illegal and disorderly gold mining in the Siguiri region. The move follows inspections that revealed severe soil loss, river pollution, and the use of hazardous chemicals. Authorities will deploy a permanent monitoring system, conduct inspections, and urge local communities to report illicit activities.
The Guinean government announced on Nov. 3 that it will impose a total ban on illegal and disorderly gold mining in the northeastern administrative region of Siguiri, according to a joint statement signed by several ministers, reported by Xinhua.
Spokesperson Mamadou Aliou Sow of the Ministry of National Defense said the decision followed inspection missions that uncovered extensive environmental degradation caused by unauthorized mining operations.
Xinhua detailed that the illegal activities destroyed soil, agricultural land and vegetation through the use of heavy machinery, and caused pollution and silting in the Niger and Tinkisso Rivers and their tributaries.
Officials also condemned the use of dredgers, explosives, mercury, cyanide and other hazardous chemicals at mining sites, noting that such practices are strictly prohibited along riverbeds, banks, agricultural land, grazing areas, protected forests, residential zones and near public infrastructure.
To enforce the ban, a permanent monitoring and surveillance system will be deployed across Siguiri, involving the armed forces, the national gendarmerie, police, customs services and nature conservation officers, Xinhua reported.
Inspections will take place along road and river routes and at various entry points to prevent the transport of heavy machinery, dredgers, explosives and chemicals for illegal mining, the spokesperson said.
Defense and security forces will verify the identities and residency status of people present at mining sites, and foreign nationals found to be staying in the country illegally will face legal procedures, according to Xinhua.
The statement also prohibits any citizen from providing protection, in any capacity, to individuals or entities involved in illegal mining, and urges administrative authorities, traditional and religious leaders, youth and women’s organizations, and mining operators to cooperate and report illicit activities to the relevant services.
