As Gold Prices Surge, West Africa Mine Operators Launch Drones to ...

As Gold Prices Surge, West Africa Mine Operators Launch Drones to ...

As gold prices surge, West Africa mine operators launch drones to detect wildcat miners

Almost 20 illicit miners have been killed in confrontations at major mining operations across the region since late 2024, including at Newmont and AngloGold Ashanti's sites in Ghana and Guinea and Nordgold's Bissa Mine in Burkina Faso.

AI Drones vs. Gold Raiders: West African Mines Fight Back with Technology - Innovation Village | Technology, Product Reviews, Business

West African mining companies are facing a unique challenge as gold prices have hit record highs of over $3,300 per ounce, leaving investors and governments wary. The resurgence of illegal mining activities, commonly known as “wildcat mining,” on commercial concessions in Ghana, Guinea, and Burkina Faso has been caused by the increasing value of gold. However, the response this time is not limited to fences or security guards. It is AI-powered d…

West African mining companies deploy surveillance drones as gold rush intensifies conflicts – The North Africa Post

Gold mining companies across West Africa are turning to aerial surveillance technology to combat escalating incursions by artisanal miners, as record gold prices above $3,300 per ounce fuel increasingly violent confrontations at corporate mining sites, Reuters reported. At Gold Fields’ Tarkwa mine in southwestern Ghana, drone operators recently detected suspicious activity, leading a 15-person response […]

As gold prices rise, West Africa mine operators use drones to detect illegal miners

Three men launch a drone in the clear skies above Gold Fields’ Tarkwa mine, a sprawling 210 square kilometer gold mine located in southwest Ghana. The drone’s cameras scan the area for any intruders as the sun beats down. A drone detected something strange, and a 15-person police team arrived within 20 minutes. The team …

As gold prices surge, West African mines launch drones to detect wildcat miners

Sub-Saharan Africa’s unofficial mining operations provide critical income for nearly 10 million people, according to a UN report.