The planned visit of President Bassirou Diomaye Diakhar Faye to the Kédougou region on February 7th and 8th, 2026, is being seized as an opportunity by the Collective of Senegalese Promoters of Semi-Mechanized Mining and Quarrying (CPEMSCS). These stakeholders intend to bring to the attention of the highest state authorities "the extremely worrying situation our sector has been experiencing for almost two years."

“Indeed, after several unsuccessful meetings and approaches to the relevant Ministry, it is clear that there is a systematic blockage of activities related to semi-mechanized mining, quarrying, and the granting and renewal of the associated permits,” the group denounces. It notes that this situation has led to the complete shutdown of more than one hundred companies wholly owned by Moroccan nationals, comprised of men and women who have invested their personal assets, often mortgaged.

Mame Saliou Ndiaye, a member of the CPEMSCS, and his colleagues are outraged: "Since the advent of the new regime, and particularly following decree no. 2024-1502 of July 31, 2024, suspending mining activities in the area of the left bank of the Falémé River within a radius of five hundred meters, combined with the increased number of audits of the mining cadastre and the sector in general, hundreds of semi-mechanized mining companies and quarries have ceased operations."

They deplore this blockage, stating that it is occurring without clear information, without formally communicated deadlines, and, in several cases, without a legal basis that complies with the provisions of Law No. 2016-32 of November 8, 2016, concerning the Mining Code. According to them, some companies have been in a state of desperate waiting for nearly two years, without any formal response from the Mining Administration.

However, these producers point out that the principles of good governance and legal certainty require that developers be informed in a timely manner about the progress of their applications. They have observed that it is unfortunately common for notifications to arrive six months after the documents have been signed, sometimes requesting documents that have already been submitted. In their view, this processing chain reveals a disorganization marked by a worrying diffusion of responsibility.

The group emphasizes: “We are first and foremost Senegalese, just like farmers, street vendors, construction workers, teachers, students, and all the other vital forces of the nation.” They add that at a time when the country is facing a difficult economic situation, it is “incomprehensible and profoundly unjust that semi-mechanized mining companies and quarries owned by Senegalese nationals are being deliberately paralyzed by the Mining Administration.”

The alert is at its highest level: "Behind these stalled businesses are fathers and mothers plunged into despair, young entrepreneurs ruined, thousands of jobs destroyed, and several billion CFA francs in tax and parafiscal revenue lost to the State of Senegal."

For Mame Saliou Ndiaye and his colleagues, blocking operations under exploration permits is "incomprehensible and unacceptable," especially since 90% of these permits have historically been issued for these activities. Challenging this established practice would eliminate Senegalese companies in favor of large foreign corporations that already control the high-potential areas.

The group believes that the role of the Administration is to provide support, advice, and regulation, and not "to establish abuse of power and administrative obstruction as a mode of governance." For companies with non-compliance issues, they suggest inviting them to comply while continuing their activities, rather than condemning them to an abrupt shutdown.

Finally, several developers point out that they have incurred considerable expenses: fixed fees, royalties, slaughter taxes, and site security costs. This is why the group is making a formal appeal for the intervention of the President of the Republic and the Prime Minister. They clarify that they are asking for "neither subsidies nor financial assistance, but simply the right to work, invest, and participate fairly in the national development effort."