Originally published by Africa Is A Country · Emmanuelle Roth. Read the full story →
Far from signaling a break from the past, the convergence of mining and conservation in West Africa underscores a recurring pattern that stretches back to colonialism. Blue Lake, the former open pit mine of LAMCO, now part of the East Nimba Nature Reserve. Credit Sarita West © 2025. This post is part of the series “The Underbelly of Conservation.” In Guinea’s mountainous forest region lies the world’s largest untapped reserve of iron ore. The $24 billion Simandou mine—a joint venture between the