L'extraction artisanale de l'or et son impact sur le paysage archéologique (naturel et culturel) au Sénégal oriental (la région de Kédougou)

Artisanal gold mining in the Kédougou region of eastern Senegal is a long-standing phenomenon. This activity emerged with alluvial and eluvial gold panning. It was the prerogative of societies in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly those in the eastern Senegal region. With the discovery of vein gold, men invested more in artisanal gold mining. This activity, still classified in the informal sector, was long carried out in a traditional manner. Today, we see that this activity has significant repercussions on the archaeological landscape, both in natural and cultural aspects. It has had notable environmental consequences, such as ecosystem degradation, deforestation, and disruption of watercourses, among others. These alterations impact not only the local biodiversity but also the tangible and intangible cultural heritage as well as essential resources for local communities. The State of Senegal, being a key player in this activity, has established texts and rules for sustainable gold extraction for both multinational corporations and small-scale or artisanal operations. Despite the establishment of these regulatory texts accompanying this activity, real problems arise in their application. Illegal or clandestine artisanal mining sites have become increasingly numerous. However, unregulated, clandestine, or illegal gold mining threatens these sites, potentially leading to the loss of crucial archaeological data for understanding the settlement history of the region. Local populations, often involved in artisanal gold mining, are also affected. Although this activity can sometimes offer economic opportunities, it can lead to notable consequences such as environmental degradation due to biodiversity loss, water pollution, soil destruction, social conflicts, health problems, and precarious economic dependency without a way out, among others.Artisanal gold mining in the Kédougou region of eastern Senegal is a long-standing phenomenon. This activity emerged with alluvial and eluvial gold panning. It was the prerogative of societies in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly those in the eastern Senegal region. With the discovery of vein gold, men invested more in artisanal gold mining. This activity, still classified in the informal sector, was long carried out in a traditional manner. Today, we see that this activity has significant repercussions on the archaeological landscape, both in natural and cultural aspects. It has had notable environmental consequences, such as ecosystem degradation, deforestation, and disruption of watercourses, among others. These alterations impact not only the local biodiversity but also the tangible and intangible cultural heritage as well as essential resources for local communities. The State of Senegal, being a key player in this activity, has established texts and rules for sustainable gold extraction for both multinational corporations and small-scale or artisanal operations. Despite the establishment of these regulatory texts accompanying this activity, real problems arise in their application. Illegal or clandestine artisanal mining sites have become increasingly numerous. However, unregulated, clandestine, or illegal gold mining threatens these sites, potentially leading to the loss of crucial archaeological data for understanding the settlement history of the region. Local populations, often involved in artisanal gold mining, are also affected. Although this activity can sometimes offer economic opportunities, it can lead to notable consequences such as environmental degradation due to biodiversity loss, water pollution, soil destruction, social conflicts, health problems, and precarious economic dependency without a way out, among others.

L’extraction artisanale de l’or dans la région de Kédougou, au Sénégal oriental, est un phénomène de très longue date. Cette activité a émergé avec l’orpaillage alluvionnaire et éluvionnaire. Elle fut l’apanage des sociétés de l’Afrique subsaharienne, particulièrement celles de la région du Sénégal oriental. Avec la découverte de l’or filonien, les hommes investirent davantage dans l’extraction artisanale de l’or. Cette activité toujours classée dans le secteur informel, fut longtemps réalisée de manière traditionnelle. De nos jours, nous constatons que cette activité est à l’origine de répercussions significatives sur le paysage archéologique, tant sur les aspects naturels que culturels. Elle a eu des conséquences environnementales notoires, telles que la dégradation des écosystèmes, la déforestation et la perturbation des cours d’eau, etc. Ces altérations impactent non seulement la biodiversité locale mais aussi le patrimoine culturel matériel et immatériel ainsi que les ressources essentielles pour les communautés locales. L’État du Sénégal étant un acteur clefs dans cette activité a édifié des textes et règles pour une extraction de l’or durable aussi bien pour les multinationales que pour l’exploitation à petite échelle ou artisanale. Malgré l’édification de ces textes réglementaires accompagnant cette activité, de réels problèmes se présentent dans leur application. Les mines d’extraction artisanales illégales ou clandestines sont devenues de plus en plus nombreuses. Cependant, l’exploitation aurifère non règlementée, clandestine ou illégale, menace ces sites, entraînant la perte potentielle des données archéologiques cruciales pour la compréhension de l’histoire du peuplement de la région. Les populations locales, souvent impliquées dans l’extraction artisanale de l’or sont également touchées. Bien que cette activité puisse offrir parfois des opportunités économiques, elle peut entraîner des conséquences notoires tels que, la dégradation de l’environnement par la perte de la biodiversité, la pollution des eaux, la destruction des sols arables, les conflits sociaux, les problèmes de santé et une dépendance économique précaire sans issue, etc.