Niger: Government Reopens Dan Issa Gold Mining Site 3 Years After Mine Collapse

The Nigerien government has officially approved the exploitation of a gold mine in the Commune of Dan Issa, Madarounfa Department, in the Maradi Region.

The announcement, made in a ministerial order dated November 20, 2024, outlined strict conditions for the operation.

According to the order, the exploitation must adhere to the rules of the art and comply with Law No. 2022-033 of July 5, 2022, on Mining, as amended by subsequent laws and regulations, including Ordinance No. 2024-37 of August 8, 2024. Operators must follow all applicable legal provisions, specifications, and agreements with the Nigerien state.

The government warned that violations such as illegal activities, failure to comply with environmental protection standards, and non-payment of duties and taxes will be penalised under the Mining Law.

The announcement comes three years after the government closed and prohibited mining in the entire southern strip of Maradi following multiple well collapses that claimed around 30 lives in November 2021. According to Mayor of Dan Issa, Adamou Guero, there have been difficulties in controlling and organising the work at the site.

In 2021, several gold sites were discovered near the village of Chenagé-Garin Liman, located 8 km northeast of the Commune of Dan Issa through artisanal mining efforts.  According to the Nigerien Press Agency (ANP), the sites attracted thousands of workers from Niger, Nigeria, and Burkina Faso before its closure in November 2021.

With the resumption of mining operations in Dan Issa, and stricter conditions for the operation to ensure environmental protection and safety, Niger is set to generate employment opportunities via artisanal mining and increase national revenue through taxes and royalties.

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