The Senegalese military has announced the successful dismantling of an illegal gold mining operation in the southeastern Valémy region, close to the Malian border.
This move is part of ongoing efforts to curb unauthorized mining activities and protect vital natural resources.
During the raid, military forces confiscated a range of equipment used in illegal gold prospecting.
Among the seized items were 37 water pumps and various electrical generators.
Transport equipment, including motorcycles and other miscellaneous mining tools, were also captured at the site near Sikhoto on the banks of the Valémy River.
This action was in line with Senegal’s enforcement of a law prohibiting mining activities within a 500-meter radius of the river.
The Senegalese Army’s Directorate of Public Relations released a statement highlighting the significance of the operation, noting that it aligns with their routine patrols aimed at enforcing the decree that bans mining along the Valémy River’s shores.
This crackdown reflects Senegal’s heightened efforts to preserve local ecosystems and safeguard its water resources.
Recognizing the environmental and water resource threats posed by illegal gold mining, Senegal issued a presidential decree on August 27, creating a no-mining zone extending 500 meters from the Valémy River.
This restriction will remain in force until June 2027 and seeks to ensure clean water supplies for major urban centers, including Dakar, Touba, Thiès, and Mbour.
In an earlier bid to manage gold prospecting activities, Senegal designated a zone in 2014 for regulated artisanal mining.
This initiative aimed to bring greater control and oversight to a sector long known for informal and potentially hazardous practices.
