The gold panning sector in Niger, especially in the Agadez region, is undergoing significant changes.
Indeed, the event held in Agadez brought together the main players of Niger’s gold panning sector, including GS-NESMO President Elhadji Assalih Ibrahim Ari, as well as administrative and traditional figures. The aim was to raise awareness about tax obligations among gold miners and help them better understand the existing regulations.
Seydou Boulhassane, the Secretary-General of the Agadez region, emphasized the importance of gold panning in the region’s economic development while also recalling the challenges associated with this activity, including land conflicts and environmental impacts.
According to him, to address these issues, Niger has implemented reforms such as semi-mechanized mining and a legal framework. “The reforms carried out by the government aim to transform artisanal gold panning into a tool for economic development while limiting its negative impacts,” he said.
For GS-NESMO’s First Vice President Elhadj Moussa Baba, this workshop is a crucial step to strengthen the trust relationship between gold miners and the tax administration. “By improving knowledge of tax regulations, we are contributing to better tax citizenship and an increase in state revenues,” he said.
Challenges of Gold Panning in Niger
In the Agadez and Tillabéri regions, gold panning holds significant economic value, especially as climatic hazards often restrict agricultural and pastoral activities. However, the industry faces numerous challenges:
Land conflicts
Environmental impacts
Safety
Worker health
Towards Better Regulation of the Sector
This workshop is part of the dynamics of professionalizing the gold panning sector in Niger. Authorities hope to make gold panning a driving force for sustainable development in the relevant regions by strengthening the capacities of stakeholders and improving governance.
In 2014, the discovery of gold deposits in the region, particularly in Djado and Tchibarakaten, created a significant economic opportunity for the country.
