00:00The trial of more than 1,200 people charged with illegal gold mining opened in Conakry on Wednesday
00:06amid a recent crackdown on the practice. The defendants were arrested in Guinea's
00:12northeastern gold-producing region of Sigiri. A number of local officials have also been struck
00:19off, accused of facilitating illegal mining. We can't go after our authorities who were
00:26appointed barely four months ago and inherited the situation. As for corruption, the individuals
00:33arrested have publicly stated in court that they don't even know these officials and that
00:38they didn't have their authorization. No money was involved, therefore there's no connection.
00:45Guinea's clandestine mines drew people from across West Africa. When the ban took effect
00:51on November 2nd, tens of thousands were deported. Neighboring Mali is warning of a humanitarian
00:58catastrophe. Burkina Faso has complained its citizens were subjected to inhumane treatment.
01:05The miners' lawyers say they're not the ones who should be on trial.
01:10The real culprits are elsewhere, not my clients. We mustn't use my clients as scapegoats. They're
01:21not the ones responsible. They're far from being connected to these acts of illicit enrichment.
01:28Guinea is rich in mineral resources, particularly gold and bauxite. Authorities are trying to curb
01:37environmental damage resulting from artisanal gold mining.
