White Gold
Lake Retba is one of the largest salt flats in Senegal and one of the most important in northwest Africa. More than 30,000 tonnes of quality salt are extracted each year, and harvesting the salt from its depths requires an incredible amount of human effort – around one hundred women and men extract the riches from its shallows manually. The promise of its white gold represents both a blessing and a curse for those that flock to its banks each year, where salt collection represents an important life-line.
Unfortunately, the future of Senegal’s Pink Lake is not promised. Starting in April 2022, a combination of heavy rainfall and runoff from surrounding towns flowing into the lake has caused flooding and rising water levels resulting in the lake losing its enchanting pink hue. The degradation of the lake has dealt a heavy blow to tourism professionals and the harvest of its white gold, which requires optimal conditions to be extracted. This situation will likely worsen with winter’s approach.