- Production, marketing and processing of gold by SONASP
- Supervision returns to the DGMG through DEMAS
On 9 August 2023, the government approved the transformation of the National Agency for the Supervision of Artisanal and Semi-Mechanised Mining (Agence nationale d’encadrement des exploitations minières artisanales et semi-mécanisées – ANEEMAS) into the National Company for Precious Substances (SONASP).
ANEEMAS was created by decree no. 2015-1420/PRES-TRANS/PM/ MEF/MME of 30 November 2015. It is a Public Economic Establishment (Etablissement Public à caractère Economique – EPEC) placed under the technical supervision of the Ministry in charge of mines, the financial supervision of the Ministry in charge of finance. It has legal personality and financial autonomy.
The main objective of ANEEMAS is to supervise and monitor small-scale and semi-mechanised gold mining activities. Its main tasks are to provide technical support for gold mining; monitor and control gold marketing channels; regulate marketing by purchasing from all sites; monitor administrative and regulatory requirements with a view to reducing the informal sector and making gold miners more accountable; develop infrastructure; monitor the environment; and restore degraded sites. According to the government, the new company, the National Precious Substances Company, is a state-owned company. Its mission will be to produce and market gold and process precious substances, with the possibility of acquiring a refinery.
The transformation of ANEEMAS was followed by the adoption of new articles of association for the National Precious Substances Company (SONASP) to enable it to carry out its missions effectively, in accordance with the provisions of decree no. 2000-189/PRES/PM/MCIA of 17 May 2000 on the general status of state-owned companies.
From now on, SONASP will be responsible for production, gold marketing and processing. The supervision and monitoring of artisanal and semi-mechanised gold mining activities will be the responsibility of the Directorate General of Mines and Geology, through the Directorate of Artisanal and Semi-Mechanised Mining (Direction de l’Exploitation Minière Artisanale et Semi-mécanisée – DEMAS).
There has been a conflict of jurisdiction between DEMAS and ANEEMAS. This transformation will enable each structure to play its role properly.
