A giant dredging machine in Senegal is causing major environmental and social disruption as it extracts zircon from local lands, primarily affecting farmers and their livelihoods. Despite claims of responsible practices, the local community faces displacement and inadequate compensation, prompting calls for increased regulation and moratorium on mining activities.
In Senegal, a monumental dredging machine, hailed as the world’s largest mining dredger, is consuming vast tracts of the nation’s fertile coastal land, paramount for its vegetable cultivation. This operation has caused a significant environmental scar, about 23 kilometers long, visible even from space. As the dredger processes thousands of tonnes of mineral sands per hour, it advances on an artificial lake established by deep underground water pumping, disrupting the local landscape and communities.
The mining activities, conducted by the French company Eramet, have displaced countless families over the past decade. Eramet, however, maintains that its operations are environmentally compliant and plans to accelerate its extraction efforts. Despite its claims of responsible practices, local residents report significant ecological destruction and loss of livelihoods, with farmers expressing disillusionment due to inadequate compensation for their losses and the degradation of their once-fertile lands.
In response to community discontent, Senegal’s President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has recently criticized extractive practices, highlighting the need for transparency and local benefits from mining ventures. EGC, Eramet’s local subsidiary, began mining operations in 2014 after receiving the concession in 2004. Critics note that while the company claims to provide compensation significantly exceeding national guidelines, many farmers report a decline in quality of life and disrupted agricultural activities.
Despite promises of modern housing and infrastructure for affected families, numerous residents express dissatisfaction over their relocation and compensation arrangements. Many families, now living in cramped quarters, yearn to reclaim their ancestral lands and restore their former lives. The local community leaders, including Mayor Gora Gaye, voice their grievances about eroded promises and threatened livelihoods as the dredger continues its relentless advance.
While EGC argues that its operations bring substantial economic benefits to Senegal, including employment and tax revenue, local opinion often contrasts sharply with corporate assertions. Many farmers claim that mining has led to poor land conditions, further exacerbated by water pollution. The mayor has called for an immediate halt to mining for thorough environmental assessments, advocating for a balance between economic gain and the socio-environmental impact on local communities.
The dredger’s operations remain a contentious issue as the company seeks to expand capabilities further, amidst ongoing calls from the community for a moratorium on mining. The local populace is left grappling with the immediate consequences of unchecked industrial activity on their homeland and ecosystems.
The continued operations of the mining dredger by Eramet in Senegal highlight a strained relationship between economic development and environmental integrity. Significant displacement of farming communities, alongside growing ecological concerns and inadequate compensation, showcase the urgency for responsible governance and transparency. Local leaders, including President Faye, underscore the need for a reconsideration of practices to ensure that communities fully benefit from natural resource exploitation while protecting their vital ecosystems.
Original Source: www.france24.com
