10 killed in clashes in Guinea after artisanal mining ban

CONAKRY: Ten people were killed in violent clashes with defense and security forces in a gold-producing region in northeastern Guinea, the country’s Ministry of Territorial Administration said in a statement.

Guinea banned artisanal gold mining in Siguiri on November 2. Authorities said artisanal miners’ failure to comply with regulations had led to environmental degradation including pollution of agricultural land, rivers and vegetation cover.

The ministry ⁠said late on ⁠Thursday that clashes occurred on Wednesday, when defense and security forces were verifying the implementation of the ban.

The situation escalated and shots were exchanged after protesters erected barricades on public roads, the ⁠statement said.