In brief
On November 3, 2026, Guinea’s government announced a complete prohibition of illegal gold mining in the Siguiri area, following investigations that revealed significant ecological harm. A joint statement from several ministries detailed a permanent monitoring system involving armed forces, police, and conservation officers, and urged local communities to report illicit activities. The ban also bars the use of dredgers, explosives, mercury, and cyanide for mining, and will be rigorously enforced with inspections of roads, rivers, and entry points.
In the northeastern part of the country, the Guinean government declared on Monday a total ban on illegal and disorderly gold mining activities in the Siguiri administrative region, following assessment missions that documented extensive environmental damage. The announcement was made by ministers of defence, interior, finance, and environment, as reported by Xinhua. Mamadou Aliou Sow, spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense, said the ban was necessary to curb the destruction of soil, agricultural land and vegetation, and the pollution and silting of the Niger River, the Tinkisso River and their tributaries.
Sow noted that illegal mining operations had used heavy machinery in violation of regulations, bulldozed agricultural areas, burned forests and employed dredgers, explosives, mercury and cyanide at mining sites. These practices had allegedly contributed to severe erosion and contaminated waterways, threatening both the local ecosystem and the livelihoods of communities relying on farming and fishing.
The joint statement also clarified that mining is prohibited in riverbeds, along riverbanks, on agricultural land, grazing areas, protected zones, classified forests, as well as near residential zones and public infrastructure throughout the region. To support enforcement, a permanent monitoring and surveillance system will be deployed, involving the armed forces, national gendarmerie, police, customs, and nature conservation officers. Inspections will take place along road and river routes, at entry points, and on all transport vehicles to prevent the movement of heavy machinery, dredgers, explosives and chemicals used for illicit mining.
The ministry also warned that defense and security forces would verify the identity and residency status of anyone present at mining sites. Illegal foreign nationals found staying in the country would face procedures prescribed by law. The statement further prohibited any citizen from providing protection, in any capacity, to individuals or entities involved in these operations.
Authorities urged the cooperation of local administrative bodies, traditional and religious leaders, youth and women’s organizations, and mining operators to report any illegal activities to the relevant services. The government emphasized that the ban does not undermine the importance of the gold sector to the national economy, but aims to ensure sustainable and environmentally responsible extraction practices.
Officials said the new measures would be complemented by education campaigns to raise awareness about the legal framework and environmental risks associated with unauthorized gold mining activities. The enforcement push is expected to continue beyond the initial implementation period, with ongoing monitoring and targeted inspections designed to eliminate the scourge of illicit mining in the region.
