In a context marked by fierce protests, Eramet Grande Côte (formerly GCO) organised, on Wednesday 23 July 2025, a day of open doors for the national press, including members of the Association des journalistes pour la transparence dans les ressources extractives et la préservation de l’environnement (AJTREPE). During this visit, journalists were able to discover several sites of intervention of the mining company, including the zircon exploitation plant in Diogo, the village of Foth, the health centre, the mosque, as well as areas already rehabilitated after exploitation. However, the delegation was unable to meet the local farmers who, in recent weeks, have expressed their discontent, accusing the installation of the mine of hindering their agricultural activities. Faced with these protest movements, Eramet Grande Côte denounces what it considers as a campaign of “destabilization” and “unfounded accusations”. Ibrahima Ba, the chief of the village of Foth, welcomed the efforts of the company and invited it to “do more”, notably in the management of water, electricity and support for agriculture. Grande Côte Opérations (GCO) is 90% owned by the French mining group Eramet and 10% by the State of Senegal. According to its Director General, Frédéric Zanklan, “no chemical products are used to exploit the mineralized sands”, before adding: “We are the only Senegalese mining company to have initiated a process of restitution of land to the authorities. I’m not sure. In the Lompoul area, the GCO assures having taken a voluntary commitment beyond the compulsory compensations, promising in particular the realization of a new unprecedented tourist site baptised “l’Oasis du Sénégal”. The group has also made public its balance sheet for the year 2024, stating an economic and social contribution estimated at 122 billion FCFA (185,4 million euros) to the benefit of more than 20 000 people in Senegal.
Eramet Grande Côte opens its doors to the press and defends its model in the face of challenges
