In an effort to reform and restructure the gold panning activity in Guinea, the National Union of Gold Panners started an operation aimed at taking census of gold panners in ten prefectures of the country. The concerned prefectures are: Kouroussa, Kankan, Siguiri, Mandiana, N'zérékoré, Gaoual, Kindia, Beyla, Macenta and Faranah.

The census activities are taking place similtaneously in all concerned prefectures, and these activities are supported by the administration and the notables. In Siguiri, where the operation started on Feb. 15, it was an opportunity to bring together all actors in the sector.

For the general secretary of the national union of gold panners, gold panners should agree to participate in the census as this will allow political decision-makers to support them with regards to their activities.

« We fully agree with the terms of the census. All parties are represented, including the Government for transparency sake. All I can ask my colleagues, is to join hands because the Government cannot help us if we are not organized. So let's support this operation and get organized to move forward», said Karifa Condé.

The census operation was successfully conducted in Mandiana, from Feb. 17 through Feb. 20, 2023. The operation allowed to identify and take census of most gold panners in that prefecture.

«I am happy with the census process here in Mandiana. While the census mission was here, everyone showed up. Most of gold panners came from villages, and everything went on well. There was no issue, and we all were on the same page. The census closing ceremony was chaired by the prefect and two of his staff members», Bakary Diallo, the prefectural leader of gold panners told the reporter of Infomineguinee.