Resettlement of populations in the Niayes: Eramet Grande Côte mobilizes 3.5 billion FCFA and delivers 628 housing units

A major mining operator in the Niayes region, Eramet Grande Côte (GCO) has been conducting relocation and resettlement operations for several years, targeting populations directly impacted by its extractive activities. This process distinguishes between economic resettlement, which deals with agricultural land and livelihoods, and physical resettlement, which relates to the relocation of households.

For the prefect of the Kébémer department, Ousseynou Mbaye, the operations carried out on the ground scrupulously respect the legal framework: "For these two aspects, we can say that national legislation has been respected everywhere," he affirms, emphasizing the level of consultation maintained with the impacted communities.

628 houses for 3,500 people

Beyond simply relocating homes, Eramet Grande Côte claims to have deployed a comprehensive system aimed at restoring the living conditions of citizens. "Since the start of operations, we have built 628 houses for 3,500 people in the departments of Tivaouane and Kébémer," explains Ibrahima Diop, head of the Resettlement department at GCO.

In addition to these accommodations, there are basic social infrastructures: primary school, health post, mosque, Koranic school, market, community house, football field and access roads.

According to Mamadou Oumou Ka, head of consensus-building within the consultation committee, this infrastructure accompanied the relocation of residents from the village of Kinine Alassane, in the commune of Thièp (Kébémer department). "All stages were subject to discussions and consultations before each decision was made," he stated, adding that to date, "the only remaining element to be finalized is the access road to the village."

Half a hectare of land equipped for each household

The resettlement program also includes rebuilding the economic potential of households. As part of this, each household receives 0.5 hectares of replacement farmland, fully equipped with a mini-borehole system and a solar kit, according to Ibrahima Diop. The goal is to ensure a viable and sustainable agricultural and livestock activity for the population.

The scheme is generating satisfaction among several beneficiaries. Moussa Ba, chief of the hamlet of Keur Moussa Aliou, believes that the allocated plots are of "very good quality", praising the presence of solar installations and boreholes: "Everything that was announced at the beginning of the project has been respected and implemented in accordance with the commitments made", he assures.

3.5 billion FCFA raised in three years

Between 2024 and 2026, nearly 3.5 billion CFA francs were allocated by Eramet Grande Côte to finance all operations. According to Prefect Ousseynou Mbaye, this funding covers housing construction, land acquisition, and the restoration of livelihoods. The administrative authority emphasized the State's vigilance: "The State is always by the side of the people. We are ensuring that GCO's commitments are scrupulously respected."

Two joint commissions ensure the ongoing monitoring of the population transfer. The guiding principle, the prefect reminds us, is that when a community is relocated, "everything that constituted its daily living environment must be fully restored."

From initial concerns to testimonials of satisfaction

For several communities, support for the relocation project was not immediate. Amadou Ba, imam of Caram Peulh, recalls the legitimate doubts at the beginning: "When you have lived for more than a hundred years in a hamlet and one day you are told you are being moved to a new site with new amenities, it is natural to have apprehensions," he confides.

After the move, the feeling changed. "We have found that the living conditions offered here are much better than those we had before," says the religious authority.

The promise of a "responsible mine"

For Marianne Ngom, Director of Sustainable Development at GCO, these achievements embody a comprehensive industrial vision: "These results illustrate our commitment to making resettlement sites sustainable territories, driven by a responsible mine," she emphasizes.

The company highlights its alignment with the highest international standards, recalling that it obtained the IRMA 50 score last February, a global benchmark for responsible mining.