Guinea Approves Controversial Gold Mining Project Endangering Western Chimpanzees
Guinea has granted an environmental compliance certificate for gold mining by Predictive Discovery in a habitat of critically endangered western chimpanzees. The project is considered significant due to its estimated gold reserves but poses serious long-term ecological risks, including habitat loss and disturbances to wildlife. The mining operations are set to start as soon as 2026, raising concerns about conservation efforts in the area.
The government of Guinea has authorized an Australian mining company to commence gold extraction within a critical habitat for the endangered western chimpanzees. The environmental compliance certificate allows Predictive Discovery to proceed with its Bankan Gold project, situated in the northeastern section of Upper Niger National Park.
Following an assessment that was approved by Guinea’s Ministry of the Environment in January, the project is believed to contain 3.05 million ounces of gold, marking it as the largest gold discovery in West Africa in a decade.
However, the 1,767-page environmental impact assessment indicates significant long-term threats to local wildlife, particularly the western chimpanzee. Evidence suggests that preliminary mining activities have already displaced several chimps and caused disturbances in their natural habitat.
The mining operations are expected to exacerbate habitat loss and disrupt the local chimpanzee population, potentially affecting groundwater levels for years following the project’s completion. Originally, part of the project encroached upon the park’s buffer zone, but the company agreed to relinquish these areas in discussions with government officials.
Guinea’s development plan for the national park highlights the existence of strict regulations surrounding buffer zones to protect wildlife. The company’s mining plans now fall within a designated peripheral zone, which allows for limited development activities.
Aboubacar Samoura, an official from the Ministry of Environment, acknowledged initial concerns regarding the mining site’s proximity to a protected area yet emphasized the need for a balanced approach. Following the certificate approval, Predictive Discovery quickly applied for a mining license, with operations potentially commencing by 2026.
In summary, the Guinean government has issued a compliance certificate permitting an Australian firm to mine for gold in a region critical for the endangered western chimpanzees. Despite government assurances, environmental assessments reveal potential long-term risks to the chimpanzees and their habitat, necessitating careful oversight. The decision highlights the ongoing tension between natural resource extraction and wildlife conservation in protected areas.
Original Source: news.mongabay.com
