Predictive Discovery has received environmental approval for its Bankan Gold project, which is estimated to hold 3.05 million ounces of gold. The company has agreed to relocate mining operations to mitigate impacts on the Upper Niger National Park. However, concerns remain regarding the potential effects on critically endangered Western chimpanzees and local ecosystems. A mining license application has been submitted, with production anticipated by 2026.
Predictive Discovery (PDI) has obtained an environmental compliance certificate from Guinea’s Ministry of the Environment and Sustainable Development, facilitating advancement on its Bankan Gold project. This project is notable for containing an estimated 3.05 million ounces of gold, and is regarded as one of the most remarkable gold discoveries in West Africa in the last ten years.
The approval comes after the company submitted a comprehensive 1,767-page environmental and social impact assessment. In response to regulatory feedback, PDI has agreed to relinquish exploration permits in regions overlapping with the buffer zone of Upper Niger National Park (PNHN). Consequently, the company will focus its mining efforts in what is termed a “peripheral zone,” which aims to lessen direct environmental strain on protected areas.
Notwithstanding the relocation of mining operations, environmental evaluations indicate potential threats to local wildlife, particularly the Western chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes verus), a critically endangered species dependent on nearby habitats like the Mafou Forest conservation area, situated approximately 18 kilometers from the mining site.
Exploration activities, which commenced in 2020, have already led to the displacement of between seven and fifteen chimpanzees, with expectations of further disruptions as the development proceeds. The continuation of mining operations may adversely affect groundwater levels and contribute to habitat degradation, emphasizing the requirement for persistent environmental scrutiny.
Aboubacar Samoura, a senior official responsible for national parks and wildlife in the Ministry of the Environment, noted the challenges inherent in endorsing a large-scale mining initiative close to protected zones. The ministry’s directive for PDI to withdraw from the buffer zone is part of an effort to harmonize economic growth with conservation needs.
Following the receipt of environmental approval, PDI has submitted a formal application for a mining license as of January 31. Should this application be granted, production could commence as early as 2026, stimulating economic activity while demanding continuous monitoring of its ecological effects. The development of this project illustrates the broader dilemma of harnessing Africa’s mineral resources without jeopardizing vital biodiversity.
In conclusion, Predictive Discovery’s Bankan Gold project has secured necessary environmental compliance to progress despite existing conservation concerns. The company has made efforts to mitigate ecological impacts by shifting mining away from protected areas. However, ongoing environmental monitoring remains vital due to potential threats to endangered wildlife and natural resources. Balancing economic interests with conservation priorities continues to be a significant challenge in resource development across the continent.
Original Source: environmentenergyleader.com
