IGF Mining Policy Framework Assessment: Senegal

The assessment finds Senegal's mining framework to be of medium strength, noting a clear permitting process and efforts to formalize artisanal mining, but highlighting significant gaps in the distribution of mining revenues to local communities, weak environmental enforcement, and the continued prevalence of child labour and mercury use in the informal sector.

• Senegal's permitting process is transparent and clearly defined in the Mining Code, requiring environmental and social impact assessments (ESIAs) and community consultation for most permits.
• The government generates mining revenues through a combination of corporate income taxes, royalties, permit fees, and joint ownership agreements, with a corporate tax rate of 30 per cent.
• Generous tax exemptions in the 2003 Mining Code have reduced government revenues and financial benefits for the population, contributing to perceptions that private sector interests are prioritized over affected communities.
• Despite the establishment of a national equalization fund by Decree n° 2009-1334 to transfer 20 per cent of royalties and fees to local communities, no funding has been transferred to these communities to date.
• Institutional capacity for environmental auditing and monitoring is limited, and the lack of enforcement leads to significant pollution and degradation in artisanal and informal gold mining areas.
• Mine site rehabilitation is required by law, and financial assurances must be provided; however, rehabilitation costs are frequently underestimated and enforcement of closure plans remains weak.
• The government is attempting to formalize artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) through authorization cards, designated mining corridors, and official purchasing counters, but the sector remains overwhelmingly informal.
• Informal ASM mining continues to be characterized by widespread child labour and the use of mercury in gold processing, which compromises the health of women and children.
• Geological information is available but access is restricted because it is only provided in physical form at Ministry offices in Dakar rather than through an online database.

APA

Crawford, A., Bueno, P. D. L. C., & Naré, C. (2016). IGF Mining Policy Framework Assessment: Senegal. International Institute for Sustainable Development. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/senegal-mining-policy-framework-assessment-en.pdf

Chicago

Crawford, Alec, Patricia de la Cueva Bueno, and Clémence Naré. IGF Mining Policy Framework Assessment: Senegal. International Institute for Sustainable Development, 2016. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/senegal-mining-policy-framework-assessment-en.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Crawford |first1=Alec |last2=Bueno |first2=Patricia de la Cueva |last3=Naré |first3=Clémence |title=IGF Mining Policy Framework Assessment: Senegal |publisher=International Institute for Sustainable Development |date=December 2016 |url=https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/senegal-mining-policy-framework-assessment-en.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{crawford2016igf, author = {Crawford, Alec and Bueno, Patricia de la Cueva and Naré, Clémence}, title = {{IGF Mining Policy Framework Assessment: Senegal}}, institution = {International Institute for Sustainable Development}, year = {2016}, month = dec, url = {https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/senegal-mining-policy-framework-assessment-en.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }