In a study made public this Thursday, the Swiss NGO SWISSAID reveals that 36 to 41 tonnes of gold were clandestinely exported from Senegal between 2013 and 2022.
In Senegal, the clandestine export of gold has reached impressive proportions over the last ten years. In a study released this Thursday, October 3, 2024, the Swiss NGO SWISSAID reveals that between 2013 and 2022, 36 to 41 tons of gold, worth $2.38 to $2.71 billion, have been illegally taken out of the country, i.e. 3.6 to 4.1 tonnes of gold are illegally exported each year.
This undeclared flow, mainly from artisanal and small-scale extraction (ASM), transits through Mali before reaching the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The proximity of the Kédougou region to the Malian border facilitates transactions with independent Malian buyers who offer more attractive prices than counters approved by the Senegalese state, notes the report. The latter points out that only 10% of artisanal gold passes through official channels.
The study reveals significant discrepancies between the volumes of gold produced and exported, in particular due to the non-declaration of artisanal gold. For example, in 2021, a difference of 2.95 tonnes was noted between official export figures and those reported by importing countries.
SWISSAID therefore recommends better regulation of artisanal gold mining, in particular by reducing export taxes, currently set at 4%. This measure could make purchasing counters more competitive and limit the flow of clandestine gold to neighboring countries.
Although official gold production and exports have increased significantly, mainly due to industrial mining, artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) remains important but largely under-reported, the document laments.
In 2022, industrial gold production in Senegal reached 14.9 tonnes, while artisanal mining, estimated between 4 and 4.5 tonnes per year, remains poorly documented. Official exports amounted to 18.31 tonnes, mainly to Switzerland, Australia and the Emirates.
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