Senegal seeks more equitable partnerships in mining sector

Senegal’s recently elected president, Bassirou Dioumaye Faye, has promised to renegotiate mining, gas and oil contracts with foreign companies. At a top-level summit in Paris this week, his mining minister outlined how the new government plans to break with old practices and alliances.

Speaking at this year’s Mining on Top Africa (Mota) conference, Birame Souleye Diop, Senegal’s Minister of Energy and Mining, said his government intends to review contracts signed by mining companies that fail to meet their environmental commitments.

“I visited Kedougou a few days ago,” Diop said, referring to the region that is home to most of Senegal’s industrial and artisanal gold mines.

Located 700 km east of the capital, Dakar, and close to the border with Mali, it is one of the country’s poorest regions. It is also subject to widespread contamination.

“The water of the Falame River is completely polluted, animals are dying, children are dying, forests have been decimated,” Diop said.

“It’s because of cyanide and mercury poisoning from gold mining. It’s unfair.”

Beyond European investments

Environmental degradation in Kedougou has been documented for years. According to the Institute for Security Studies, 3.9 tons of mercury are used in the region each year, posing health risks to both miners and residents.

The annual meeting aims to foster partnership between Europe and Africa.

Diop also stressed that foreign companies should share technology with Senegal and not just extract its basic raw materials.