Ziguinchor zircon mining potential under review by coalition

The national coalition ‘Publish What You Pay’ is investigating the mining potential of zircon in the Ziguinchor region of Senegal. An ongoing study, conducted in partnership with the African Climate Foundation, highlights the region's significant reserves of critical minerals.

Dr. Papa Fara Diallo, president of the coalition, stated that the initiative aims to strengthen the negotiation skills of local communities in areas like Niafran and Kabadio. The goal is to ensure residents can effectively engage with mining companies to secure economic, social, and environmental benefits from resource extraction.

Controversy surrounds current operations in Niafran, where the Gambian-based company G-SAND, which has Chinese capital, continues extraction despite the Supreme Court annulling its permit in December 2025 due to the lack of an environmental impact study. Local communities, represented by lawyer Bora Kanté, are calling for an immediate halt to activities and a presidential decree to prohibit mining in the area to protect the local ecosystem and marine protected zones.