00:00The trial of more than 1,200 people charged with illegal gold mining opened in Conakry
00:05on Wednesday amid a recent crackdown on the practice.
00:10The defendants were arrested in Guinea's northeastern gold-producing region of Sagiri.
00:16A number of local officials have also been struck off, accused of facilitating illegal
00:22mining.
00:22We can't go after our authorities who were appointed barely four months ago and inherited
00:29the situation.
00:31As for corruption, the individuals arrested have publicly stated in court that they don't
00:36even know these officials and that they didn't have their authorization.
00:40No money was involved, therefore there's no connection.
00:45Guinea's clandestine mines drew people from across West Africa.
00:49When the ban took effect on November 2nd, tens of thousands were deported.
00:55Neighboring Mali is warning of a humanitarian catastrophe.
00:59Burkina Faso has complained its citizens were subjected to inhumane treatment.
01:06The miners' lawyers say they're not the ones who should be on trial.
01:10The real culprits are elsewhere, not my clients.
01:17We mustn't use my clients as scapegoats.
01:20They're not the ones responsible.
01:22They're far from being connected to these acts of illicit enrichment.
01:28Guinea is rich in mineral resources, particularly gold and bauxite.
01:35Authorities are trying to curb environmental damage resulting from artisanal gold mining.
