Mines and Geology: six priorities to strengthen the sector’s benefits for the benefit of the Senegalese

The Minister of Mines and Geology, Cheikhou Oumar Seck, defended, Wednesday November 11, 2026, before the Committee on Finance and Budgetary Control, extended to that of Energy and Mineral Resources, the 2027 draft budget of his department, set at 7,458,600,502 FCFA in commitment authorizations and payment credits. Six axes structure the announced priorities, with the ambition of strengthening the economic and social benefits of the mining sector.

Better supervision of gold panning constitutes the first project. In the regions of Kédougou and Tambacounda, 31,020 gold miners were identified biometrically. Seven pilot corridors are also being developed by Military Engineering, for 488.3 million FCFA. Agreements with the Caisse des Dépôts et Consignations and the Ministry of the Armed Forces must contribute to the formalization of the activity, the security of sites and the fight against illicit networks.

Facilitating access for SMEs and young people to opportunities in the sector** represents the second axis. The e-CNSCL Mines platform lists 901 active companies and has enabled the publication of 315 calls for tender, including 247 validated. In addition, more than 70 companies have expressed interest in the National Youth Inclusion Program for local content, with internship opportunities of three months or more.

Better understanding of national geological resources** is another priority. In Louga, searches for building materials show an execution rate of 75%. The mapping of Gabou reaches the same level, while the work to identify mineral substances in Matam and Tambacounda is 50% complete. The national geoscientific information system (SIGEOS) displays, for its part, 98% technical execution. This work should in particular facilitate the identification of local materials useful for construction.

The fourth axis concerns the valorization of gold and the development of national processing capacities. In partnership with SOMISEN, the ministry plans the establishment of a national gold marketing counter as well as the upgrade and certification of the Diamniadio refinery. The objective is to better structure marketing channels and retain more added value in the country.

The rehabilitation of mining sites and the protection of the environment are also on the program. Decree No. 2026-2074 of October 22, 2026 governs the operation of the Mining and Quarry Site Rehabilitation Fund. The budget provides 50.06 million FCFA for the rehabilitation of abandoned sites and 25 million for the modernization of control and monitoring systems for mining operations.

Finally, the ministry intends to strengthen mining benefits for the benefit of local authorities. Funded with 20% of revenues from mining operations, the Support and Equalization Fund is intended to finance their equipment. The distribution of resources for fiscal years 2024 and 2025 is, however, still being finalized.

These six priorities reflect the stated desire to make the mining sector a lever for economic and social development. However, following the examination and discussions, the 2027 draft budget of the Ministry of Mines and Geology was not adopted by the Commission’s deputies.

CG DIOP