Siguiri authorities suspend artisanal gold mining in Guinea

Acting Governor Colonel Fadjimba Mara has suspended all artisanal gold mining activities in the Siguiri administrative region of Guinea. The suspension, announced on October 29, 2026, will remain in effect until the situation is regularized, with no specific date for resumption provided.

Authorities cited environmental damage, risks to public security, and the pollution of waterways as primary reasons for the ban. Officials specifically pointed to the use of heavy machinery, which they deem incompatible with artisanal mining standards and a cause of ecosystem degradation.

The decision follows a period of increased administrative oversight, including a ban on heavy machinery in March 2026. On October 30, the Guinean Minister of Territorial Administration and Decentralization suspended 22 regional officials, including the acting governor and several prefectural and sub-prefectural leaders, in connection with the ongoing regulatory situation.