The world’s largest mining dredger in Senegal is severely impacting fertile coastal areas, displacing farmers and causing environmental damage. While the French company Eramet claims responsible mining practices, local communities report inadequate compensation and ecological destruction. Senegal’s President has called for greater oversight, and there is a growing demand for a moratorium on mining activities to assess the damage.
In Lompoul, Senegal, the world’s largest mining dredger has begun devastating the fertile coastal region where the majority of the country’s vegetables are cultivated. This dredger, which is mining for zircon, has created a 23-kilometre-long scar visible from space and is capable of sucking thousands of tonnes of mineral sands per hour while moving through a lake formed by pumped groundwater. The disruption has displaced numerous farmers and their families within the last decade, leading to significant ecological damage.
The French mining conglomerate, Eramet, which operates the dredger, claims its practices are responsible and aims to intensify mining activities. However, local residents argue that their ecosystem is deteriorating, and many families have experienced despair due to loss of land and livelihoods. Gora Gaye, mayor of Diokoul Diawrigne, noted that the community’s initial optimism has turned into frustration over broken promises and inadequate compensation.
Tourists and farmers are increasingly collaborating to advocate for a moratorium on the mining operations. Senegal’s President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has also expressed concern over local populations not benefiting from these extractive practices and is calling for greater oversight regarding their social and environmental impacts. The government was elected on a platform of sovereignty and reform, particularly in relation to foreign interests.
Eramet, which began its activities in 2014, asserts that it complies with local laws and compensation regulations, providing payments that significantly exceed national guidelines for the land. Despite these claims, locals allege that their new housing lacks adequate facilities and does not restore their previous quality of life.
Farmers maintain that the environmental integrity of their land has been irreparably harmed, diminishing their agricultural productivity. Instances of abandoned fields have been cited, as the dredging operations have altered the hydrology of the region. Both the mayor and local farmers have called for halting mining temporarily to assess its impacts comprehensively.
With continuing reports of alienation and dissatisfaction among displaced residents, tensions are rising regarding the long-term viability of this mining project and its repercussions on the surrounding communities. Eramet’s representatives insist that suspending the mining would adversely impact employment and economic contributions to Senegal. Nevertheless, the debate over this crucial issue continues, as many assert the need for sustainable practices that prioritize community welfare and environmental preservation.
The operations of the world’s largest mining dredger in Senegal have provoked significant social and environmental concerns. Despite the economic benefits claimed by Eramet, local communities suffer from displacements, inadequate compensation, and ecological destruction. Calls for pause and reassessment of mining’s impacts grow louder among locals and political leaders, emphasizing the need for sustainable practices that benefit the communities and protect the environment.
Original Source: www.france24.com
