![](\"https:\/\/grande-cote.eramet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/26\/2025\/08\/1-WCP.jpg\" "\\"1-WCP\\"")
<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>Step 1: Extraction<\/h2>\n
The ore is extracted using a floating dredge operating on an artificial basin measuring 600 meters by 300 meters. This equipment sucks up the sands located upstream of the basin, allowing controlled progress of the dredge\u2014between seven and thirteen kilometers per year\u2014along the concession strip. This strip is strictly localized on the dunes, in a zone delimited between the coastline and the Niayes agricultural region, both of which are preserved and unaffected by the operations.<\/p>\n
Additionally, to access the lateral areas of the deposit, a mobile dry extraction unit, called Dry Mining, takes over. It enables the extraction of pockets of mineralized sands that are inaccessible to the dredge, while strictly remaining within the concession perimeter.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
A unique dredger in the world<\/h3>\n
Measuring 50 meters in length and 16.5 meters in width, this unit operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, with an extraction capacity of up to 7,000 tons of sand per hour.<\/p>\n
It moves continuously across the mining basin, both forward and laterally. Equipped with an immersed rotary blade, it cuts through layers of sand, while the ore is suctioned by a main pump with a diameter of 1.2 meters, transporting the materials to the processing units.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
![](\"https:\/\/grande-cote.eramet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/26\/2025\/11\/2015-10-13-EGC-the-drag.jpg\" "\\"2015-10-13-EGC-the-drag\\"")
<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>Step 2: Preparation of mineralized products<\/h2>\n
Once extracted by the dredge, the mineralized sands are transferred to Eramet Grande C\u00f4te’s first plant, which also floats on the basin behind the dredge: the Wet Concentration Plant (WCP).<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
![](\"https:\/\/grande-cote.eramet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/26\/2025\/08\/103-Lusine-flottante-illuminee.jpg\" "\\"103–L’usine-flottante-illumin\u00e9e\\"")
<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>Concentrating the minerals<\/h3>\n
Within the WCP, the sand is processed using physical methods, without any chemical inputs. A sequence of mechanical processes \u2013 rotary screens, hydro-cyclones, and spirals \u2013 separates the heavy minerals from the lighter sand. Called tailings, it will be redeposited at the back of the basin to reshape the landscape as closely as possible to its original state. This is the first step in the rehabilitation of the site before its restitution.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
Separating minerals<\/h3>\n
The obtained mineral concentrate (HMC) is then transported by truck to the separation plant located in Diogo: the Mineral Separation Plant (MSP). This industrial unit includes several lines, each dedicated to a product: zircon, ilmenite, leucoxene, and rutile. The separation operations are carried out at high temperatures before screening and the electrostatic and magnetic separation of the products. Again, no chemicals are used.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
![](\"https:\/\/grande-cote.eramet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/26\/2025\/08\/2-MSP.jpg\" "\\"2-MSP\\"")
<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>Where do mineralized sands come from?<\/h3>\n
For millions of years, volcanic rocks from the African continent have been eroded by rain and rivers. Grains of quartz and minerals such as rutile or zircon were transported to the ocean, then brought back to the beach by waves. Heavy minerals settled there, while lighter quartz remained offshore. This repeated process formed a vast deposit of mineralized sand. As the coastline receded, this sand became buried and stabilized in the form of dunes recognizable by their dark hue.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
Major solar power plant project<\/h3>\n
The industrial site is powered by a plant with a capacity of 36 MW. To further decarbonize its products, Eramet Grande C\u00f4te is investing in a hybrid solar power plant with energy storage, in partnership with the company JUWI Renewable Energies. With a capacity of 20 MW and 11 MW of storage, its commissioning planned for 2026 will prevent the emission of 25,000 tons of CO2 per year.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
Step 3: Rehabilitation of the dunes<\/h2>\n
The rehabilitation of exploited areas is systematic and begins immediately after the concentration of mineralized sands\u2014a specific feature of the Eramet Grande C\u00f4te mine model. Teams reshape the terrain as closely as possible to its original state, stabilize the soil, and plant endemic species and other varieties selected in consultation with communities for their economic value (fodder, cashew, timber, etc.).<\/p>\n
In September 2022, Eramet Grande C\u00f4te became the first Senegalese mine to return rehabilitated and revegetated parcels<\/strong> (85 hectares) to the State, the owner through the Directorate of Water and Forests. The momentum continues: an additional 1,000 hectares were returned in 2025.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>![](\"https:\/\/grande-cote.eramet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/26\/2025\/08\/003-Revegetalisation-des-dunes-apres-passage-de-la-drague-2.jpg\" "\\"003–Rev\u00e9g\u00e9talisation-des-dunes-apr\u00e8s-passage-de-la-drague-(2)\\"")
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