Environmental Monitoring of Mining Sites in Senegal

To improve the environmental monitoring of mining sites, the CNCEA and the Directorate of Control and Supervision of Mining Operations (DCSOM) are developing a practical guide for inspectors of the Ministry of Mines. This guide aims to provide an efficient and simple tool to structure visits and data collection, and strengthen the compliance of mining operations with environmental regulations.

In November 2024, a field mission was conducted to test a preliminary version of the guide in real-world conditions. After an initial preparatory workshop, two sites were inspected: a phosphate mine in Lam-Lam and a basalt quarry in Thiès. These visits primarily allowed for the evaluation of the applicability and relevance of the guide, as well as the identification of good practices and shortcomings in the current operation of the mine. The exchange with operators also contributed to refining the content of the guide by integrating their feedback and remarks.

Next steps: finalisation of the guide and the launch of a pilot phase in 2025, with inspections on gold mines. The development of the regulatory framework will be closely monitored to ensure the effectiveness of the guide in the Senegalese context.

Picture: ©NCEA – Alex Puisais