Travail de fin d'études[BR]- Travail de recherche personnel[BR]- Travail d'expertise interdisciplinaire

Abstract

This study explores access to drinking water and pollution of supply sources in the urban commune of Siguiri, Republic of Guinea, a region heavily impacted by artisanal gold mining. Pollution by heavy metals (Pb, As, Cd, CN) from mining activities contaminates both groundwater and surface water, exceeding WHO standards and posing health risks to local communities. Approximately 48.8% of households lack access to water that meets WHO standards, a situation exacerbated by demographic and economic inequalities. Women are particularly vulnerable to this pollution due to their domestic responsibilities and exposure to chemicals used in mineral washing. The research incorporates an ecofeminist perspective to analyze perceptions of pollution and its impacts on water access, highlighting the intersections between mining activities, gender dynamics, and environmental issues. The ecofeminist approach emphasizes the necessity of including women's voices in water resource management and environmental sustainability to achieve ecological and social justice. The results show that gold mining activities are a major source of contamination, accentuated by geological factors that exacerbate the effects of this pollution on groundwater. For sustainable water management, it is crucial to promote sustainable mining practices and raise community awareness of environmental risks. The integration of ecofeminist perspectives advocated by this study offers a holistic understanding of pollution due to gold mining and its impacts on water access, thereby contributing to a more inclusive and equitable approach to natural resource management.