Kono District, Sierra Leone – Women engaged in artisanal gold mining in the Jiama Nimikoro Chiefdom are breaking their silence about the severe risks they face as they navigate abandoned mining pits, including incidents of sexual assault, intimidation, and unsafe working conditions.
For many women in this gold-rich area, mining has become a critical means of survival. Each day, they wade into water-filled pits left by male diggers, sifting through muddy soil in search of small specks of gold that help feed their families and cover school fees.
Two miners, who chose to be identified only as Diana and Jane, shared their stories with Truth Media. Standing waist-deep in muddy water alongside fellow miners, they often sing while they work: “Come and see what the Lord has done,” their voices rising above the sounds of the mining activity. Yet behind their songs lie harrowing tales of hardship and fear.
Diana, a survivor of sexual violence in the mining fields, expressed her reluctance to abandon her work despite the trauma she has experienced. “I have children,” she said quietly. “I have to survive.”
In Jiama Nimikoro, most of the deep pits are excavated by men who control the necessary tools. Women typically wait until these male miners leave before entering the pits to wash soil in search of leftover gold, exposing themselves to considerable risks. Community members report drowning incidents in these abandoned sites, while female miners recount experiences of harassment and rape in areas with limited security oversight.
Jane, who has been mining since 2005, described gold mining as her sole reliable source of income, which she relies on to support her two daughters. Every small grain of gold contributes to school fees, food, and rent. The women sell their gold for roughly 500 leones per karat, but the irregular nature of artisanal mining means they often work for hours without collecting enough to meet this measure. “We don’t really know the calculations,” Jane explained, citing concerns about being cheated.
In addition to exploitation and insecurity, the women face health hazards associated with chemicals used in gold processing. Mercury, commonly employed to extract gold, poses serious risks as miners often handle contaminated materials without any protective gear. Diana and Jane reported spending long hours in the water, exposed to chemicals, frequently experiencing body pain, skin irritation, and constant fatigue. They lament the absence of health insurance or safety protections.
Despite these significant challenges, the women persist in their work, finding solace in their singing as a means to endure the adversity of the mining pits. For many, these mining fields represent their only viable option for sustaining their families.
Across Kono District, women like Diana and Jane remain determined to continue their work while shedding light on the hidden dangers they encounter in artisanal mining. Their voices, sometimes spoken, sometimes sung, are beginning to reveal the often-overlooked realities of life in abandoned mining pits.
For more information, please contact Daily Scope Newspaper at dailyscopemedia@gmail.com.
