The fight against illegal gold mining continues in the east of the country. On Saturday, February 14, units from Military Zone No. 4 conducted two simultaneous operations that resulted in the dismantling of two illegal gold mining sites in the Saraya department. Seven people were arrested and a significant quantity of equipment was seized.

According to security sources, the operations targeted the localities of Sansamba and Dialadakhoto, situated in the Falémé Valley, within the municipality of Bembou. This border area regularly faces the proliferation of illegal gold mining sites, often leading to security tensions and environmental degradation.

On the ground, the military systematically dismantled the makeshift installations and checked the identities of those present at the sites. Seven individuals involved in these illegal activities were arrested. The operations also led to the seizure of various equipment, including generators, solar panels, motorcycles, and other materials used for unauthorized gold mining, revealing the scale and level of organization of these informal operations.

The individuals arrested were handed over to the competent authorities for the purposes of the investigation and the continuation of the legal proceedings.

Through these operations, the armed forces reaffirm their commitment to combating illegal gold mining in this part of the country. This activity, beyond its illegal nature, has major consequences for security, the environment, and the local economy.