Senegal bans gold mining to protect Falémé river
Senegal has recently taken a significant step in addressing environmental concerns related to gold mining along the Falémé River, which forms part of its border with Mali.
Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko issued a decree banning all mining activities within 500 meters of the river’s left bank on Senegalese territory until June 30, 2027. This suspension targets the widespread artisanal mining activities in the region, particularly around Kédougou in southeastern Senegal, which has become a hub for miners from across Africa.
Concerns
The decision stems from growing fears that decades of mining using harmful substances like mercury, lead, and cyanide have severely polluted the environment. These pollutants are now being detected in water sources, agricultural products, and even in the bodies of livestock and humans, threatening the livelihoods of thousands of farmers and herders who depend on the river.
A recent survey by the Senegalese Press Agency highlighted a troubling increase in illegal mining sites, with the number rising from 600 in 2021 to over 800 along both the Senegalese and Malian sides of the Falémé River. The government’s intervention aims to curb this growing environmental threat and protect the region’s fragile ecosystem.
