In brief
On Nov. 3, Guinea declared a total ban on illegal gold mining in the Siguiri administrative region after assessment missions found severe environmental harm. Authorities will enforce the ban with a permanent monitoring system, inspections, and collaboration with armed forces and local leaders. The measure aims to protect soil, rivers, and local communities from destructive mining practices.
On Monday, the Guinean government announced a comprehensive ban on illegal and disorderly gold mining activities in the northeastern Siguiri administrative region, citing severe environmental damage uncovered in recent assessment missions.
The decision followed inspections that revealed soil erosion, destruction of agricultural land, and silting of the Niger and Tinkisso Rivers, as well as the use of hazardous chemicals such as mercury and cyanide. Moses, spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense, said the mining practices had devastated vegetation and polluted waterways.
To enforce the ban, a permanent monitoring and surveillance system will be deployed in Siguiri, involving the armed forces, the national gendarmerie, the police, customs services and nature‑conservation officers. Inspections will take place along road and river routes, and at entry points to prevent transport of heavy machinery, dredgers, explosives, and chemicals used for illegal mining.
The authorities also forbid any citizen from providing protection, in any capacity, to individuals or legal entities involved in these operations. Local administrative bodies, traditional and religious leaders, youth and women’s organizations, as well as mining operators, have been urged to cooperate and report any illicit activity.
Only Xinhua reports that the ban will include a permanent monitoring system and stringent inspections, with enforcement by armed and civilian security forces and a call for community vigilance to curb the harmful mining practices in the region.
