By:Miningweekly

In the village of Zawa, in the northwest of the Central African Republic, 70% of young people are said to make a living from artisanal mining. In this locality of about 3,000 inhabitants, mining work has a significant social and economic impact. Many artisanal miners who work in these sites develop parallel economic activities that promote the growth of the region.

At the heart of a mining site in Zawa, it is difficult to see the bottom of the shafts. Workers descend into underground galleries of about 20 meters before passing under blocks of rock weighing several tons.

Here, the creaking of machines, shovels, hoes and picks never stops. A hundred or so mining artisans work there from morning to night to provide for their families. Zéphyrin is one of them, he testifies: "  We sell our gold to collectors and local cooperatives," he explains. " Some buyers come from the capital and others from the regions of the country.

Once enough gold has been extracted, the miners sell what they have extracted to the buying offices set up in the town of Zawa. The journey is 15 km, but it takes an hour to cover it because of the poor state of the roads. “  In recent years, this road has not been rehabilitated because of insecurity. In Zawa, most public buildings were looted at the height of the crisis. Now that peace has returned, we want to rebuild our town thanks to gold mining activities  ,” assures the mining artisan.

70% of the inhabitants live from mining activities

Today, in Zawa, almost all public buildings have been renovated and places of business are springing up like mushrooms. Sitting on a chair at the entrance to his motel, Patrice Evrard Yandobé, president of the local cooperatives, is determined to change things. "  I built this motel a year ago thanks to mining activities. I have about twenty employees who earn enough to take care of their families with dignity  ," he rejoices. Patrice Evrard Yandobé is building a health center, a school and a travel agency that will be operational very soon, he says. Because according to him, "  we should not expect everything from the government.  "

In Zawa, it is the miners who keep the town alive. “  Working with gold has given me several opportunities. I have three shops specializing in the sale of spare parts, basic necessities and the sale of solar panels. I also own a transport company  ,” says Fernand. Working in the mines is difficult, but he is proud to be able to invest in “  the development of [his] community  .”

According to local authorities, 70% of the population earns its living from mining activities. With the improvement in security conditions, the Ministry of Mines is now facilitating the issuance of mining permits to local cooperatives.