Mining Sector

Presentation of Mining Sector 

The land of Senegal is rich, very rich and has an important geological and mining potential with a great diversity of mineral substances including precious metals (gold and silver), base metals (iron, copper, chromium, nickel), ores and materials. industrial (phosphate, limestone, clays, etc.), heavy minerals (zircon and ilmenite), ornamental stones (marble, granite, serpentinite) and building materials (basalt, limestone, sandstone, sand, laterite), etc.

The Senegalese mining sector generated revenues of 111.9 billion FCFA, or 93% of revenues from the extractive sector. This represents a slight increase from 105.2 billion FCFA in 2017 and 105.9 billion in 2016. 

This sector's contribution to GDP in 2018 was 3.2%, after 2.6% in 2017. It also represents a strategic sector for the development of energy activities.

Macky Sall (The President of Senegal) and mining experiences

Apart from phosphates and limestone, Senegal's great mineral wealth was long neglected until the election of Macky Sall. This geologist by training, Minister of Mines between 2002 and 2003, is certainly aware of the under-exploitation of the sector, which should nevertheless be a development lever for the country.

SALT

Senegal is the largest producer of salt in West Africa. Most of this production is done on an artisanal basis and the largest production areas are Fatick, Kaolack, Lac rose, Saint-Louis and Kaffrine. In 2016, Senegal has exported a value of 32,6 milliards FCFA . 

Salt shipments increased by 6.1%, from 342,029 tonnes in 2015 to 363,117 tonnes in 2016. The revenues obtained from salt exports in 2016 are estimated at 10.8 billion FCFA after 11.5 billion FCFA in 2015. 

On my way to Kaolack passing by Fatick , a region of Salt in Senegal

IRON

The filed s are located in four distinct zones , estimated at 750 million tonnes. The exploitation of the iron field of Falémé in the south-east of the country constitutes an integrated project planned on a virgin site and requires the construction of a 750 km long railway line for the transport of iron ore to the new deep water ore and bulk carrier to be built in Bargny-Sendou, near Dakar.

Mining Low and Regulations

Mining Code (2016)

Mining activities are particularly dangerous for the environment. This is why the Mining Code provides in its article 102 that any applicant for a mining license, authorization to open and operate a quarry or license to operate a small mine must, prior to the start of its activities, carry out, at its own expense, an environmental impact study and the implementation of the environmental management plan, in accordance with the Environmental Code and the related decrees and orders.

In addition, “any holder of an exploration permit, an authorization to open and operate a permanent quarry, an authorization to operate a small mine, a mining license and a production sharing contract, is required to open and fund a trust account with a specialized public establishment designated by the State. This account is intended to constitute a fund to cover the costs of implementing the environmental management plan ”(Art.104).

The operating procedures of this fund are set by Decree No. 2009-1335 of November 30, 2009116. It is managed jointly by the holder of the mining license and the Ministries in charge of Mines and the Environment. We understand, however, that the account is still not open.

Law No. 2016-32 of 8 November 2016 on the Mining Code extends the scope of the rehabilitation obligation to holders of exploration permits, permits to open and operate temporary or permanent quarries, small mine operation and production sharing contract.

Due to the need to protect forest resources that are within the scope of mining titles, Article 105 requires compliance with the provisions of the Forest Code.