With a correspondent in Dakar, Thea Olivier reports on the accusations against the clay mining activities happening in the neighboring concession of the village of Mbodiène. Local populations have raised concerns about the negative effects of the mining activities, including abandoned agriculture, respiratory diseases, silting up of the lagoon, and minimal job creation. Despite 50,000 tons of industrial clay being extracted annually, young people from the locality have called out its pollution and negative impact on the environment and health. As the Senegal Mines’ contract, which has run for 25 years, ends this year, inhabitants are protesting its renewal. André Sarr, a member of the collective responsible for launching the petition, highlights the increase of asthma among their children and lack of benefits. Alfonso Gonzales, the general manager of Senegal Mines, states that they have been supporting health, education, and improving the environment for years. The Ministry of Mines is currently examining the contract renewal request, and the director general of mines, Roseline Carlos, notes that they have started meetings to promote a constructive dialogue and encourage the mining company to have an even greater positive impact on the area.
With our correspondent in Dakar, Thea Olivier
The list of accusations is long: abandoned agricultural activities, respiratory diseases, silting up of the lagoon, few jobs created… Here are the “consequences” of the exploitation of clay in the neighboring concession of the village of Mbodiène denounced by the local populations in a petition. While 50,000 tons of industrial clay are extracted there every year, young people from the locality denounce the pollution and its effects on the environment and health.
The inhabitants therefore reject the renewal of the Senegal Mines contract, which ends this year after 25 years of operation.
« Our children have asthma and we can’t cultivate our land anymore because of the dust… We don’t get any benefit from this mine “, protests André Sarr, member of the collective which launched the petition.
« For all these years, we have been doing actions to support health and education. We also try to improve the environment with the planting of trees “, answers Alfonso Gonzales, general manager of Senegal Mines, 15% owned by the State, the rest belonging to a Spanish multinational.
The contract renewal request is still being examined by the services of the Ministry of Mines. ” We have initiated meetings to restore dialogue and so that the actions of the mining company have a greater impact on the area. “, says Roseline Carlos, director general of mines at the ministry.
In conclusion, the situation in Mbodiène serves as a glaring example of the consequences of unchecked industrial activity and its impact on local communities. While the mining company may claim to have initiated measures to support health and education, the petition signed by the residents of Mbodiène clearly indicates that such efforts have not been enough. The fate of the Senegal Mines contract renewal now lies in the hands of the Ministry of Mines. Let us hope that they will prioritize the welfare of the people and the environment over corporate profit.