Senegal's President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has also spoken out against extractive mining practices, saying some "local populations do not benefit". He doubled down earlier this month, demanding more transparency and oversight of "social and environmental impacts".

His government was elected last year promising a radical break with the past and to reclaim Senegal's sovereignty, particularly from the influence of former colonial power France.

Eramet Grande Cote, or EGC, Senegalese subsidiary of the Eramet, insisted it was a "responsible company" that has compensated locals "five times more" for the loss of their land than national guidelines, up to $16,575 per hectare.