Guinea banned unregulated gold mining in the northeastern Siguiri region on November 2, outlawing dredges, explosives, dangerous chemicals and digging in rivers, protected areas and farmland, Ivorian news site Koaci and AFP reported. Thousands of foreign miners have been detained, including 409 from Burkina Faso, 606 from Mali and 249 from China, Foreign Minister Morissanda Kouyaté said on November 5, according to AFP and business news site Ecofinance Guinée.
Analysis: Artisanal mining supplies most of Guinea's gold. The mines minister put its share at 70% of the 72 metric tons produced in 2024. Licensed buying houses exported 49.6 tons in 2025, about 71% of the gold exports reported by the central bank BCRG, by our calculation. Artisanal figures are estimates, and officials have not said how much gold comes from Siguiri. A long halt could still cut supply to buying houses and to the new Nimba refinery. Guinea names 409 Burkinabè detained. Meanwhile, a Burkina Faso government source cited more than 8,000 leaving. The government has not said whether, or when, licensed sites will reopen.
Source: Various, Dakaractu (with AFP), 'Guinée: des milliers d’étrangers interpellés après l’interdiction de l’orpaillage clandestin', November 6, 2026, Early November 2026 (as stated November 5); Ecofinance Guinée, Ecofinance Guinée, 'Ce qu’il faut retenir de la rencontre de Morissanda Kouyaté avec les ambassadeurs', November 6, 2026, As stated November 5, 2026; Various, Le360 Afrique (with AFP), 'Des milliers de Burkinabè rapatriés de Guinée après des mesures contre l’orpaillage illégal', November 5, 2026, Early November 2026; Various, Koaci, 'Guinée : le gouvernement ferme la porte à l’exploitation anarchique de l’or à Siguiri', November 4, 2026, 2024; Banque Centrale de la République de Guinée (BCRG), BCRG, Allocution du Gouverneur devant le CNT, mars 2026, 2025; Banque Centrale de la République de Guinée, BCRG, Rapport annuel 2025 (PDF file dated October 20, 2026), 2025