Spatio-Temporal Land Use Dynamics and Environmental Impacts of Gold Mining: An Integrated Remote Sensing Analysis in the Siguiri Prefecture, Guinea (1992–2022)

Extractive activities are generating major environmental transformations. This study analyzes the spatio-temporal dynamics of land use and their impacts on natural resources between 1992 and 2022.

An integrated approach combining remote sensing (Landsat 5–8 imagery, supervised classification) and socio-economic surveys (288 respondents, 50 households) was implemented. The diachronic analysis quantifies land-use changes across five classes: dense vegetation, agricultural land, settlements, bare soils/mining areas, and water bodies.

The observed transformations reveal critical environmental degradation within the AngloGold Ashanti mining area in Siguiri, characterized by a 16.27% decline in vegetation cover (2,356 km²) and a drastic 28.75% increase in degraded surfaces. Exceptional demographic growth (53.7% over 40 years) has intensified anthropogenic pressures and reshaped the rural economy: 75% of households are now engaged in artisanal gold mining. Both industrial mining (AngloGold Ashanti) and artisanal operations generate severe cumulative impacts, notably the systematic abandonment of non-rehabilitated sites.

These findings highlight the urgent need for sustainable mining governance in West Africa. The remote sensing-based methodology (accuracy >87%) demonstrates strong effectiveness for continuous environmental monitoring. The study advocates the integration of ecological restoration practices, stricter regulation of extractive activities, and local economic diversification.