Guinean security forces clashed with protesters demanding the reopening of
northeast artisanal gold mines, killing 10 people, including five foreign
nationals, and wounding 13 civilians and security personnel, the government
said. Protesters burned three security vehicles and seized one military weapon.
Prosecutors have been asked to investigate the violence. According to World Gold
Council and Guinea mining ministry data, Guinea is the world’s largest bauxite
producer and Africa’s sixth-largest gold producer; artisanal miners account for
the bulk of output. Guinea exported about 2.4m oz of gold last year, roughly
1.8m oz from artisanal mining; industrial producers supplied 555,529 oz and
semi-industrial producers 101,800 oz.
