In the Kédougou region, the intense heat combined with the demands of Ramadan has led to a dramatic increase in the price of ice. In several towns and gold mining sites, a simple bag of ice, previously sold for 200 CFA francs, can now cost up to 700 CFA francs, prompting numerous complaints from the local population.

A commodity that has become almost inaccessible

At the Bantaco, Sambrambougou, and Kharakhena gold mining sites, the price increase is particularly pronounced. A bag of ice is currently sold there for 700 CFA francs, a price considered excessive by many residents and artisanal mine workers.

“Before, with 200 CFA francs, you could buy ice to cool down water or juice when breaking the fast. Today, with 700 CFA francs, it has become a luxury,” laments Abdoulaye Diallo, a gold panner encountered at the Bantaco site.

The same is true for some housewives who are struggling to cope with this price increase during a period of extreme heat. "With this heatwave, ice is almost essential at home. But at this price, many families no longer buy it every day," explains Aïssatou Camara, a resident of the area.

Prices vary depending on the location.

However, the price surge is not uniform across the region. In the town of Khossanto and its surroundings, a bag of ice sells for around 500 CFA francs.

In contrast, in the commune of Saraya, prices remain relatively more affordable, ranging between 250 CFA francs and 300 CFA francs depending on the sellers.

Sellers cite the cost of electricity and transport

Faced with criticism, ice cream vendors defend themselves by explaining that several factors justify this increase.

“People think we’re exaggerating, but they don’t know how much electricity it costs to produce ice. Electricity bills are very high,” explains Mamadou Keïta, a vendor in a village near the gold mining sites.

Another trader also highlights the constraints related to transport. "We sometimes travel several dozen kilometers to transport the ice to the gold panning sites. Between fuel, losses during transport and the heat, we are forced to raise prices in order not to work at a loss," he says.

A booming trade in gold panning

Despite criticism, the ice trade is booming in the region's artisanal mining areas. Some residents are even starting to invest in freezers and refrigerators to get involved in this now profitable business.

"With the heat and the number of workers in the mines, the demand is very high. Many young people are now organizing themselves to buy fridges and produce ice," says a trader from Khossanto.

In a region marked by high temperatures and intense mining activity, ice has become much more than a simple consumer product: it now represents a real economic and social issue for local populations.