French President Emmanuel Macron announced plans on Monday to establish new regulated gold mining zones in French Guiana, a South American territory, to address the issue of illegal mining and its environmental repercussions. Macron outlined the government’s intention to identify areas with significant gold reserves within three months and implement sustainable mining regulations to combat the adverse impacts of illegal mining activities. The proposed measures aim to enforce rules prohibiting the use of mercury, a toxic substance commonly employed by small-scale and illegal miners, which poses environmental risks by contaminating water bodies, forests, and human populations. Illegal miners in French Guiana are estimated to release 1.3 kg of mercury for every kilogram of gold extracted, according to data from the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). Macron emphasized that the program would restrict access to these designated zones, preventing illegal miners, including those from neighboring countries, from engaging in activities driven by escalating gold prices. Macron also highlighted plans to sell seized gold to generate funds for the territory, supporting initiatives aimed at mitigating the impacts of illegal mining. Additionally, efforts are underway to enhance collaboration with Suriname and Brazil to disrupt illegal supply chains and enhance military coordination, with a strategic framework expected to be finalized by the 2025 United Nations Climate Change Conference.
Macron Aims to Regulate Illegal Gold Mining in French Guiana