In 2010, deforestation in the Congo Basin accelerated due to both artisanal and industrial mining activities. This clearing of forests has profound implications for biodiversity, particularly for great apes and elephants that rely on these habitats. The environmental impact of mining underscores the need for sustainable practices and policies to balance economic development with ecological preservation.

Deforestation in the Congo Basin for mining in 2010 was reflected in Central African oral and written traditions, emphasizing the role of forest guardians. Poets like Léopold Sédar Senghor and Sony Labou Tansi captured the cultural significance of the forest, intertwining ecological and spiritual themes.