The Kédougou region is once again in mourning due to illegal gold mining. Between Friday 12th and Wednesday 17th December, two major landslides at illegal mining sites claimed the lives of ten people.

Accident timeline

Despite official bans, gold prospectors continue to venture into dangerous areas, often operating at night to evade surveillance:

1. Friday evening in Khossanto: A first landslide has claimed three victims.
2. Wednesday evening in Kharakhéna (Bembou Commune): A second accident resulted in the deaths of seven people. One of the seriously injured succumbed to his injuries the following day in the hospital.

According to Lamine Cissokho, president of the "Tomboulmas" (local artisanal gold miners), the victims are mostly foreign nationals: nine Malians and one Burkinabe.

A fierce fight against illegal gold mining

These tragedies highlight the difficulty authorities face in eradicating these practices. Yet, security pressure is intensifying.

1. Dismantling operations: Between December 8 and 13, a large-scale operation by the gendarmerie in the commune of Bembou resulted in the neutralization of 14 clandestine sites and the seizure of significant quantities of equipment.
2. Government measures: In October 2024, President Bassirou Diomaye Faye toughened his stance by signing a decree prohibiting all mining activity within 500 meters of the Falémé River until June 2027.

Security and environmental issue

Mining activity continues despite the risks of collapse and criminal penalties. The Senegalese government has reaffirmed its commitment to mobilizing defense forces to enforce security perimeters and protect the country's mineral resources from this unregulated exploitation.