In Senegal, the largest mining dredger is decimating fertile coastal farmland essential for vegetable cultivation. Operated by Eramet, locals are displaced and criticize inadequate compensation for their losses. Recent calls for a pause in mining are led by local leaders and President Faye, seeking transparency and environmental safeguards amidst ongoing resource extraction controversies.
In Senegal, the world’s largest mining dredger is rapidly consuming the fertile coastal land, crucial for vegetable farming. This operation, focused on extracting zircon for ceramics and construction, has left a visible scar of 23 kilometers along the coast, observable from space. The dredger operates intensely, sucking thousands of tons of mineral sands every hour from a man-made lake, formed by water sourced from deep underground, while impacting the nearby Lompoul dunes—a popular tourist destination.
Over the last decade, thousands of local farmers have been displaced to accommodate this massive dredging operation, managed by French mining firm Eramet. The company maintains that it adheres to regulations and has indeed compensated locals at higher rates than national standards; however, displaced families report inadequate compensation and significant ecosystem destruction. Gora Gaye, mayor of Diokoul Diawrigne, highlighted the community’s struggle with “despair and disillusion” as their fertile land is replaced by mining operations.
Recently, an alliance of local farmers, tourist operators, and community leaders has emerged, urging a halt to mining activities. President Bassirou Diomaye Faye’s administration has expressed concerns over the lack of benefits for local populations from extractive practices, emphasizing the need for greater transparency and environmental oversight. The government was elected on a platform promising a shift from the past influence of former colonial powers like France.
Eramet, which started mining in 2014 under the previous regime, is closely intertwined with the Senegalese economy. The local subsidiary, EGC, claims accountability and has provided monetary support to affected locals. However, many farmers argue the compensation aligns poorly with the severe, lasting impacts of losing their land. The depletion of fertile soil significantly threatens their water supply and agricultural sustainability.
Despite assurances of housing and new infrastructure provided to displaced families by EGC, many are dissatisfied. Residents express their wish to reclaim their land and communities, feeling economic opportunities have diminished since dislocation. While EGC states that every family was relocated according to census records, some individuals report ongoing hardships without proper resources or homes.
The continuous disruption caused by mining raises alarms about soil degradation and water contamination. Local farmers contend that extraction activities have impaired their agricultural production drastically. Advocacy for a temporary cessation of mining has grown, with Mayor Gaye calling for assessments regarding the damages inflicted on the community and environment.
EGC argues the project benefits Senegal’s economy, highlighting tax contributions and local employment. Nonetheless, discrepancies in land usage rights persist, as many displaced farmers feel the land returned post-mining does not revert to them but instead to the state. Ongoing tensions over compensation, ecological disregard, and community integrity remain pressing concerns in this mining endeavor. The mine’s expansion plans threaten to amplify these issues, emphasizing the urgent need for dialogue and intervention amidst these transformations.
The mining operations in Senegal are causing significant ecological and social disruptions, primarily affecting local farmers and the environment. While there are claims of economic benefits and compensation from the mining company, the reality on the ground shows widespread displacement, inadequate compensation, and a deteriorating ecosystem. Local authorities are now calling for a pause in mining activities to reassess the environmental and social impacts, indicating that more transparent operations are imperative. The growing discontent highlights the need for a balanced approach that prioritizes both economic growth and the preservation of local communities and resources.
Original Source: www.kpvi.com
