The mining industry in Senegal is primarily focused on the production of Phosphates and industrial Limestone, with Senegal ranking as one of the major global producers of Phosphates. In 2006, phosphates accounted for around 6% of Senegal’s exports besides its high-quality deposits. Furthermore, Titanium-bearing minerals with reserves estimated at 10 million tons have also found in the coastal regions. The Federal Government owns the rights to mineral resources and grants titles for exploration and mining. Although the Senegal’s mining sector is underdeveloped, with gold discoveries in the east, providing potential for future growth. Additionally, the government has made efforts to attract foreign investments to boost economic development and mining activity.
Senegal is located in west coast of Africa. Historically, the mining in Senegal included traditional artisanal mining, in the southern regions in particular, and began to expand in the 1940s with notable operations at Taiba and Lam-Lam along with the Phosphates mining, with major operations in the Thiès Region: Gold was discovered later in 2006 in Diabougou, besides the Sodala mine, operated by Teranga Gold, as a prominent Gold mining operation in the southeast, leading to a significant mining increase. Additionally, other notable mining activities include the extraction of Iron, Platinum, Uranium, and base metals.
This is a list of key mineral resources in Senegal:
- Phosphates.
- Limestone.
- Gold.
- Titanium.
- Iron.
For extra details, read this article about the Mining Industry of Senegal.
