Just days before the mining sector open days planned for Kédougou, a field mission visited several localities in the region, particularly in the Saraya department. The objective: to raise awareness among gold miners about the procedures for formalizing their activities and the risks associated with the uncontrolled use of chemicals.

According to the regional director of Energy and Mines, this initiative aims to bring the administration closer to those involved in the gold mining industry. "We want gold miners to understand that formalization is not a constraint, but an opportunity. It allows them to operate within a legal framework, benefit from technical support, and be better protected against health and environmental hazards," he explained. He added that mobilizing gold miners at open days is essential to strengthening dialogue between authorities and mining communities.

Gold miners divided, but attentive

On the ground, gold miners are expressing both their concerns and their openness. Mamadou Diallo, a gold miner for over ten years in Saraya, says: "We know that mercury and cyanide are dangerous, but often we don't have alternatives. If the government helps us find less harmful products and better organize our work, we're interested."

For Aminata Camara, a young gold miner we met on a site, formalization is an opportunity: "Many of us work in the informal sector. If the procedures are clearly explained to us and we are supported, it can improve our working conditions and reduce conflicts."

The question of “colour” at the heart of the debates

Throughout the discussions, the issue of "coulour," that is, the management of traditional gold mining areas, came up repeatedly. Several gold miners called on the authorities to establish a clear framework to avoid tensions between traditional miners and industrial mining companies.

In this regard, the regional director reassured: "These concerns are legitimate. The open days will be an opportunity to discuss the issue of 'color' in depth and to explore consensual solutions."

In the meantime, these awareness-raising missions are already helping to lay the foundations for a peaceful and constructive dialogue. They reflect the authorities' desire to make the mining sector a lever for local development, while ensuring the health of the population and the preservation of the environment.