Senegal has decided to halt mining along the Falémé River, which marks part of its southeastern border with Mali, to protect both the environment and public health. However, enforcing this ban will be difficult.
The Kédougou region, through which the Falémé River flows, has experienced a boom in artisanal gold mining. Over the past two decades, miners from 19 African countries have flocked to the area in pursuit of gold.
The gold extraction methods, which use mercury, lead, and cyanide, have polluted the river. This contamination threatens thousands who depend on the river for farming and livestock. Studies have found toxic substances in wells, water sources, crops, and even in people and animals.
Acknowledging the seriousness of the issue, the Ministry of Mines has called for immediate action. Consequently, Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko has issued a decree suspending all mining activities within 500 meters of the river’s left bank until June 30, 2027, and has also halted the issuance of new mining permits.
A National Security Concern
The Falémé River, originating in Guinea’s highlands and forming a significant part of the border between Senegal and Mali before flowing into the Senegal River, was once home to diverse fish and mammal species. However, it now urgently needs restoration.
A report by the Senegalese NGO Wassaton revealed that the number of illegal mining sites along the river, on both the Senegalese and Malian sides, grew from 600 to 800 by 2021.
According to Adama Ndiaye, president of Wassaton, these sites have been established by both Chinese companies and local miners. “They use pickups, L200 vehicles, and excavators, and they do not live in the area,” Ndiaye noted.
Prime Minister Sonko has declared that stopping gold-panning activities to address pollution is a “national security concern.” He acknowledged that solving this problem is complex because it requires cooperation with neighboring countries. “We share the river with Mali,” Sonko said, explaining that discussions with Malian authorities have highlighted that similar mining practices are taking place on their side, involving the same harmful substances, including mercury.
In an effort to regulate gold mining, Senegal designated a specific area for artisanal mining in 2014. Since April, the military has dismantled at least three illegal mining sites. The government is relying on the armed forces to enforce the temporary ban. However, officials face challenges in identifying illegal miners and their activities, as Oudy Diallo from the non-profit Kédougou Alerte Environnement pointed out, due to difficulties in monitoring the movements of miners from the region.
Guardians of the Falémé
Environmental activist Diallo observes that the suspension of mining has been welcomed by those living along the Falémé River, who are ready to support the enforcement of the new rules.
“We need the involvement of the local population and village leaders,” Diallo stated. “We are all protectors of the Falémé.”
While locals cannot arrest illegal miners, Diallo suggests they can alert authorities to ensure that security forces intervene and enforce the ban.
Diallo is also calling for an independent review of mining permits, which he claims were issued without adequate environmental impact assessments.
Most of the extracted gold is sold in Mali, where prices are higher—31,000 CFA (51 USD) per gram in Senegal versus over 40,000 CFA (67 USD) in Mali.
The effectiveness of the ban will also depend on whether similar measures can be implemented on the Malian side of the river. This could be challenging due to the current political instability in Mali and ongoing security issues.
