Senegal’s Minister of the Interior has raised alarm over the impact of traditional gold panning, following the dismantling of 66 illegal sites in the eastern part of the country.
During a visit to Saraya on Tuesday, 24 June, General Jean-Baptiste Tine, expressed deep concern over the severe environmental damage caused by traditional gold mining along the Falémé River.
According to a statement from his ministry, 66 illegal sites were shut down over the past year in the Kédougou and Tambacounda regions, thanks to joint operations by the Defence and Security Forces (FDS).
This followed the enactment of Decree No. 2024-1402 of 31 July 2024, which bans all mining activities within 500 meters of the river.
His visit to the area comes amid intensified security operations targeting the extractive sector.
According to the Senegalese Armed Forces’ Monthly Information Bulletin (No. 07, May 2025), 43 additional illegal mining sites were dismantled in May in border towns such as Bougouda, Bantanko, Fagoudou, Moussala, Moura, and Saraya, as part of “Eastern Operation 1” conducted by Military Zone No. 4.
A total of 47 individuals were arrested, and 77 motor pumps, motorcycles, and generators seized and handed over to the National Gendarmerie.
The crackdown is part of broader efforts to combat gold smuggling, as the extractive sector generated 236.59 billion CFA francs in revenue during the first half of 2024, according to an Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) report released on 6 May.
Gold alone accounted for over 65% of mining revenue, with exports totaling 137.22 billion CFA francs over six months.
However, a study by NGO SWISSAID estimates that up to 41 tonnes of gold were smuggled out of Senegal between 2013 and 2022, mainly through Mali, bound for the United Arab Emirates.
Minister Tine also warned of persistent pollution from cyanide, lead, and zinc, noting that current monitoring capabilities remain insufficient. He called for an expansion of the exclusion zone and urged the deployment of enhanced surveillance technologies, particularly the activation of the aerial unit of the Kédougou Gendarmerie Legion, which he described as vital for monitoring sensitive areas.
In this strategically important region of eastern Senegal—where economic, environmental, and security concerns intersect—the fight against illegal gold mining has become a national priority.
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