To fight against armed roberies, often underwent by gold panners in the country, the Union Nationale des Jeunes Orpailleurs de Guinée (UNAJOG) has just acquired an airplane that will be transporting its gold production between the mining town Siguiry to the capital city, Conakry.

Before the arrival of this airplance, gold used to be transported by land from mining areas to Conakry. This was a good bargain for armed robbers. Several armed roberies have been registered against cars transporting gold and a few of these attacks resulted in a loss of life.

"Yesterday we launched an ariplance to transport packages of gold from inland because there are armed robberies. Even last week, we underwent one in which we lost one of our members. This is why we called upon our partners who assisted us in buying this ariplance", said N’Famory Traoré, the president of UNAJOG.

A cry of relief

"Today is a cry of relief for all gold panners in Guinea. We thank Colonel Doumbouya who is constantly concerned with the safety of Guineans. This is our way to support the efforts of the president to rebuild the State. The National Union of Young Gold Panners (UNAJOG) advocates for peace, and this is why we fight to put gold panners in the best working conditions possible".

Guinea produces between 8 to 10 tons of gold per year. The total potential reserves are estimated at 700 tons. The north easthern part is home to a large gold deposit. The richest areas are: Siguiri, Dinguiraye, Kouroussa and Mandiana.