Predictive Discovery’s Bankan Gold project has received an environmental compliance certificate from Guinea, allowing for mining estimated at 3.05 million ounces of gold. PDI has agreed to relocate operations from a buffer zone near Upper Niger National Park to reduce environmental impacts, particularly on local endangered chimpanzees. Ongoing monitoring of ecological consequences will be crucial as production could start as early as 2026, balancing economic growth with conservation needs.
Predictive Discovery (PDI) has secured an environmental compliance certificate from Guinea’s Ministry of the Environment and Sustainable Development for its Bankan Gold project, which is estimated to contain 3.05 million ounces of gold, marking it as a significant West African discovery. This certificate follows a comprehensive 1,767-page environmental and social impact assessment submitted by PDI.
In response to concerns about environmental impacts, PDI made the decision to relinquish exploration permits that overlapped with the buffer zone of the Upper Niger National Park (PNHN). The company has instead opted to concentrate its mining activities in a designated “peripheral zone” that mitigates direct pressure on protected areas, aiming to lessen environmental repercussions.
However, environmental assessments indicate continuing risks to local wildlife, particularly the population of Western chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes verus), a critically endangered species. These chimpanzees depend on adjacent habitats including the Mafou Forest conservation area, located around 18 kilometers from the mining site, and have already faced displacement due to ongoing exploration since 2020.
Displacement of chimpanzees has ranged from seven to fifteen, with further expected disruptions as the project advances. Long-term mining operations also pose risks to groundwater levels and habitat degradation, highlighting the necessity for rigorous environmental monitoring and oversight.
Aboubacar Samoura, a senior official in charge of national parks and wildlife, recognized the challenges associated with authorizing large mining projects near protected areas. The Ministry’s requirement for PDI to withdraw from the buffer zone reflects a desire to reconcile economic growth with conservation efforts.
After receiving environmental approval, PDI submitted its formal mining license application on January 31. If granted, production might commence in 2026, which could stimulate economic activities but also demands continuous scrutiny of ecological effects. This project illustrates the broader issues faced in balancing Africa’s mineral resource development with the preservation of vital biodiversity.
The approval of the Bankan Gold project by Predictive Discovery signifies a remarkable advancement in mineral exploration within Guinea, countered by serious conservation issues. By focusing mining operations away from the buffer zone of the Upper Niger National Park, PDI aims to address environmental concerns while also stimulating the local economy. Continued monitoring will be essential to minimize the ecological impact on endangered species and surrounding habitats as the project evolves.
Original Source: environmentenergyleader.com
