In brief
On November 3, Guinea's government banned all illicit gold mining activities in the Siguiri administrative region after investigations revealed widespread environmental harm. The ban will be enforced with a permanent monitoring system involving armed forces and other security agencies, while communities are urged to report illegal operations. The decision does not rescind the sector’s overall importance but seeks to curb dangerous practices in riverbeds and surrounding areas.
On November 3, 2026, Guinea’s government announced a total ban on illegal and disorderly gold‑mining operations in the northeastern administrative centre of Siguiri, after a series of inspection missions revealed extensive environmental damage.
According to a joint statement signed by several ministers, the ban follows findings of soil erosion, loss of agricultural land, destruction of vegetation and pollution of waterways such as the Niger and Tinkisso Rivers caused by mining crews employing heavy machinery, dredgers, explosives, mercury and cyanide.
“These activities have led to the destruction of soil, agricultural land and vegetation due to the use of heavy machinery,” said Mamadou Aliou Sow, spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense.
“They have also caused pollution and silting of the Niger River, the Tinkisso River and their tributaries.”
The decree imposes a permanent monitoring and surveillance system in the Siguiri region, involving the armed forces, the national gendarmerie, the police, customs services and nature conservation officers. Inspectors will patrol road and river routes and control entry points to curb the transport of heavy machines, dredgers, explosives and chemicals that could be used for illegal mining.
Defense and security forces will also verify the identities and residency status of those present at mining sites. Individuals found to be foreign nationals illegally residing in the country will be subject to routine legal procedures, the statement added.
The ban specifically targets operations in riverbeds, along riverbanks, on agricultural land and grazing areas, in protected zones and classified forests, and near residential districts and public infrastructure, all of which were previously spared by regulatory loopholes.
In an effort to protect the sector’s economic contribution, officials stressed that the new measures do not diminish the importance of gold mining to Guinea’s economy. Instead, they intend to prevent hazardous practices while allowing compliant operators to continue within the legal framework.
Local administration and community leaders, as well as youth and women’s organisations, were urged to cooperate with authorities and report any illicit activity. The government called for citizens to refrain from offering protection, in any capacity, to individuals or entities involved in illegal mining.
With this sweeping ban, Guinea aims to restore ecological balance to the Niger Basin and safeguard the livelihoods of local people who depend on intact soil and water resources.”}
