Guinea takes Endeavour gold permits in latest round of removals

Guinea has revoked four gold exploration permits from Endeavour Mining Plc as it continues to reclaim inactive and non-compliant mining rights.

The four exploration licenses were granted in 2020 and have not been renewed since, Minister of Mines Bouna Sylla said in a statement read on state-broadcaster Radio Television Guineenne late Monday.

A spokesperson for Endeavour declined to comment.

The world’s top bauxite producer has been pressing mining companies to comply with the terms of their mining rights in order to harness the full potential for its economy. It has asked a unit of Emirates Global Aluminium to kick-start an alumina refinery or risk losing the bauxite mine to state management.

The junta also announced the revocation of 125 other exploration permits, covering bauxite, diamond, iron and gold, following the withdrawal of 51 mineral concession rights two weeks ago.

(By Ougna Camara)