The mining of bauxite, an essential ore for aluminum, is concentrated in tropical and subtropical regions and has a major climatic and environmental impact: it destroys ecosystems through open-pit mining (deforestation, erosion, water and soil pollution), generates greenhouse gas emissions (fossil fuels for transport/drying) and poses social challenges (displacement of populations). The climatic context is twofold: bauxites are formed in hot, humid climates, but their intense extraction in these fragile zones exacerbates the degradation associated with these same climates (rainy seasons, mudflows). The aim of this study is to analyze the impact of climate change on microclimates linked to mining activities in the Boke region of Guinea. Using meteorological data recorded between 2010 and 2023, the research assesses the interannual variability of key climate parameters – temperature, relative humidity, atmospheric pressure, solar radiation and wind speed – using a centred and reduced variable approach and multivariate correlation analysis (Principal component analysis (PCA)). The results reveal a significant warming trend, with an increase in the average annual temperature of approximately 1.3°C, accompanied by a increase from 73% to 79-80% in relative humidity and a slight decrease in atmospheric pressure. Solar radiation and wind speed show irregular seasonal variations, but tend to intensify during the dry season, reflecting increased continentality. The correlation analysis shows a strong negative correlation between temperature and humidity (r = –0.86) and a positive correlation between temperature and solar radiation (r = +0.78), indicating increased thermal imbalance and greater atmospheric dryness. Furthermore, the prevailing wind direction has shifted from north-east (2010–2014) to south-west (2020–2023), reflecting a growing maritime influence. These climatic fluctuations coincide with the rapid expansion of mining activities, deforestation and soil degradation, leading to the emergence of localised microclimatic anomalies. These results highlight the need for integrated environmental management, combining continuous meteorological monitoring, reforestation and sustainable mining practices in order to mitigate local climate disturbances.
Diallo et al. (Fri,) studied this question.