On 5th October, 2024, President Ibrahim Traoré of Burkina Faso made an important statement in a radio address: the country will be revoking mining licences and focusing on mining its own gold.
Since the revolution that brought him to power, several of the country’s gold mines have been nationalised, including Boungou and Wahgnion. In addition, early into his presidency, the Canada-based Trevali mining firm ended operations in Burkina after it was found guilty of manslaughter by a Burkinabe court.
Ouagadougou is increasingly focused on manufacturing and refining raw materials locally. It’s laid the foundation for its first gold refinery, which is set to launch by the end of this year. The site will be able to produce 150 tonnes of gold annually. The country has also opened a mining-waste treatment facility.
Burkina Faso, which is part of an anti-imperialist bloc known as the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), is not the only country vigorously asserting sovereignty over its natural resources. Neighbouring AES member Mali has signed a contract with Russia to build a gold refinery capable of producing 200 tonnes of gold per year. And next-door Niger (also in the AES) recently revoked French company Orano’s licence to exploit uranium.
According to World Gold Council, Mali was the second-largest gold producer in Africa in 2023, while Burkina Faso was fourth.
Sources:
https://www.mining-technology.com/news/burkina-faso-set-to-cancel-foreign-mining-operations/
https://www.miningreview.com/base-metals/trevali-surrenders-nantou-mining-in-burkina-faso/
https://trtafrika.com/africa/burkina-faso-opens-first-mine-waste-treatment-facility-16757632
https://www.mining-technology.com/news/mali-russia-gold-refinery-bamako/
https://www.gold.org/goldhub/data/gold-production-by-country
1 Comment
His end is near and working with Mr Putin will only expedite that process.
I pray he Repents and lives for God and that he leads God’s people in a way pleading to Jesus Christ.