Bauxite, gold, iron, diamonds… Guinea is often described as a “geological scandal”. Its underground riches have fueled the covetousness of multinationals and the hope of economic development for decades.

But behind this mineral abundance lies another reality: environmental degradation and the suffering of local communities, often forgotten in the race for profitability.

Wealth that does not always benefit the people

From Boké to Siguiri, the Guinean landscape bears the scars of mining: potholed roads, dried-up rivers, infertile land, and displaced villages. While mining companies create jobs and contribute to state revenue, they often leave behind devastated areas where life becomes more difficult than before their arrival.

In Boké, for example, several localities complain of the omnipresent red dust, polluted water, and agricultural losses. "We have the ore, but no more drinking water," says Mariama, a resident of Sangarédi, summarizing the paradox of a country rich underground but poor in quality of life.

The environment, the big loser in the mining rush

The ecological consequences are numerous: deforestation, destruction of ecosystems, pollution of waterways by red mud, and the disappearance of certain local species. Rivers, such as the Konkouré and the Tinkisso, are already suffering the impacts of intensive exploitation.

Open-pit mining activities profoundly disrupt the soil and exacerbate the effects of climate change: erosion, landslides, depletion of groundwater…

Guinea, despite having considerable agricultural potential, sees some of its lands rendered sterile by mining pollution.

Laws exist, but enforcement remains weak.

The country has a Mining Code, revised in 2011 and again in 2013, which provides for environmental protection and respect for local communities. However, implementation remains uneven. Many companies fail to comply with environmental standards, taking advantage of a lack of oversight or weak institutions.

Environmental impact assessments are often carried out "as a formality," without regular follow-up. And sanctions, when they exist, are rarely enforced.

Voices for a more sustainable model

Faced with this situation, civil society, NGOs, and certain public institutions are raising the alarm. Reforestation campaigns, training programs on environmental management, and advocacy efforts for more responsible exploitation are emerging.

Some stakeholders advocate for a "sustainable mining development" approach, where each project would incorporate a clear plan for site restoration, social compensation, and financial transparency.

Young Guineans, for their part, are increasingly committed to denouncing abuses via social networks, bringing a new ecological awareness to the national debate.

Between hope and urgency

Guinea has a choice: transform its mineral wealth into an engine of inclusive development, or continue down the path of destructive growth. The challenge lies in reconciling the economy and the environment—in ensuring that mines serve humanity, and not the other way around.

Investing in environmental monitoring, holding companies accountable, and involving local communities: these are the keys to exploitation that respects nature and human dignity.

A future to build together

Mineral resources are a gift, but their management is a responsibility. Guinea, with its young people, resources, and potential, can become an African model of sustainable development.

But this requires courage, transparency, and a long-term vision. For the true wealth of a country is not measured by what it extracts from its soil, but by what it preserves for its children.