Chemicals in Artisanal Gold Mining Southeastern Senegal

This paper aims to present the current state of artisanal gold mining as practiced in the southeastern region of Senegal, with a focus on the issue of managing the chemicals used in the processing of gold ore, which falls under our institutional responsibility. It is a summary of seven years of experience spent in the Kédougou region as a government official in charge of environmental management. The main findings are based on a rigorous collection of factual data gathered over forty-five (45) days spent at various artisanal gold mining sites in the Kédougou region. The most active artisanal gold mining sites were identified and studied. The technologies used, as well as the equipment employed by the miners, were also identified. Several proposed solutions are included in this document. Further scientific studies may be developed based on the various conclusions of this work.