Author(s): Mamadou MBAYE
Gold deposits offer significant economic benefits for the African countries that hold them. They constitute for those who have a developed mining industry an important economic engine and a vector of growth. For these immature economies often subject to socio-political uncertainties, gold, as a safe haven and stable asset, allows them to protect their heritage. It serves as a guarantee for loans and investments in order to stimulate the economy by promoting the raising of substantial funds necessary for their development. They use it as an international currency in commercial transactions and bilateral exchanges, which constitutes a diversification of their investment portfolios and a reduction of risk in the capital market. However, their exploitation causes significant environmental damage, such as the destruction of natural habitat and pollution (air and water), leads to land and social conflicts with indigenous communities, and attracts criminals, traffickers, armed groups illegals who seek to profit from illegal mining activities. Added to this is the foreign pressure that extracts this wealth at a low price on the basis of fallacious contracts stuffed with leonine articles. It is therefore, if we are not careful, a source of conflict and destabilization that can lead to the disintegration and destruction of democratic and socio-political achievements. This article aims to analyze the governance of gold mining by African countries under the bipolar prism of hope for development and the curse of destabilization.