INTERPOL’s Operation Sanu, conducted from July to October 2024, targeted illegal mining across Burkina Faso, the Gambia, Guinea, and Senegal. The operation led to the arrest of 200 individuals and significant seizures of toxic chemicals, highlighting serious public health and environmental concerns. Notably, it marked progress in addressing both illegal gold and sand mining activities, emphasizing transnational cooperation against such crimes.
LYON, France – A significant operation targeting illegal mining in Burkina Faso, the Gambia, Guinea, and Senegal resulted in the arrest of 200 individuals. Operation Sanu, conducted from July to October 2024, brought together INTERPOL experts and national law enforcement to address illegal mining and its associated crimes, deploying hundreds of officers to identify criminal activities in remote parts of the four nations.
The collaborative efforts across borders yielded the seizure of considerable amounts of harmful chemicals and equipment utilized in illegal mining operations. Among the confiscated items were 150 kilograms of cyanide, 325 kilograms of active charcoal, and 14 mercury cylinders valued at over USD 100,000, in addition to 20 liters of nitrite acid and two containers of sulfuric acid. Law enforcement also seized 10 kilograms of cocaine and almost 7,000 explosives.
The operation further illuminated the human toll of illegal mining, with officers seizing numerous opioid pain relief tablets typically used by miners to manage the pain associated with toxic chemical exposure from mercury and cyanide. These substances pose severe risks to the human nervous system, highlighting a significant public health concern.
Additionally, INTERPOL and the involved law enforcement teams gained insights into the broader environmental damage caused by illegal mining activities. Issues such as deforestation, landslides, and altered river flows resulting in droughts or floods were identified, alongside negative impacts on local economies and communities.
INTERPOL Secretary General Valdecy Urquiza remarked, “Transnational criminal networks exploit mineral resources around the world, harming the environment, hurting national economies, weakening fragile communities, and endangering public health and safety. The operation’s success highlights the effectiveness of law enforcement when they join forces to tackle these threats.”
While the primary focus was on illegal gold mining, the operation also addressed illegal sand mining in the Gambia, leading to seven arrests and the confiscation of mining equipment and trucks loaded with sand and gravel. This operation marked a pioneering step in addressing illegal sand mining in the Gambia, shedding light on how this illicit trade is organized, posing a significant threat to both the environment and local livelihoods.
Operation Sanu is part of a trial initiative intended to assist law enforcement agencies in tackling the complex challenges posed by illegal mining activities in Western and Central Africa. The operation was supported by INTERPOL’s Environmental Security Programme, with funding from the United Kingdom’s Home Office, and involved participants from Burkina Faso, the Gambia, Guinea, and Senegal.
In summary, Operation Sanu highlighted the extensive human and environmental impacts of illegal mining in Western Africa. The successful collaboration between INTERPOL and national agencies resulted in numerous arrests and significant seizures of harmful materials. The operation serves as a crucial step towards addressing the multifaceted issues related to illegal mining in the region, ensuring protection for both communities and the environment.
Original Source: www.interpol.int
