Travel Guide Banankoro

Banankoro is the Mecca of the diamond market, which is held every Sunday morning in the vicinity of the big market and the mosque. But entering the holy of holies is not an easy task. The entrance to the city is controlled by the mining militia, and it is normally mandatory to have a mission order, i.e. a permit to enter the area to work. However, you can try to apply for a passage permit at the prefecture of Kerouané. Banankoro is an ugly, soulless town, where all activities are centered on the diamond trade.All the paraphernalia of the perfect miner can be found on street corners: shovels, picks, sieves, buckets, tire bags, etc. You will be approached again and again and offered a few tiny stones wrapped in newspaper. On market days, the buying counters are bustling with activity. Lines of sellers block the entrance, while inside there is an ant-like atmosphere: the merchandise is weighed on miniature Roberval scales, the gems are examined with a magnifying glass to detect inclusions, the price is evaluated, armed with a calculator, and there is a lot of discussion before the sale is concluded... The stones are passed from hand to hand, disgruntled sellers gesticulate, and a hubbub of voices and calculators dominates the scene.But don't expect to get rich here, because it is forbidden for anyone not from Guinea to buy diamonds. Beware of agents from the Ministry of Mines who try to trick the unwary into offering them stones! Banankoro is located 40 km from Kérouané. You can reach the track by turning right, in front of Samory Touré's tata. You then pass in front of the prefecture and the antenna. At the exit of the city, you will ford the Milo river, by dugout or with the ferry, according to the season and the water level. Then you will climb the formidable slope of the Tourou Mountains, which most old vehicles climb with difficulty, passengers often having to push behind! At the top, notice the dolerite sugarloaf on your right. The track then descends again to arrive about 20 km further on at the Banankoro junction (on the right) with the industrially exploited mines (alluvial diamond).