Burkina Faso: President Ibrahim Traoré strengthens control over mining exploitation to promote transparency and good governance

In a determined effort to ensure transparent and equitable management of national resources, President Ibrahim Traoré and his government have taken significant measures to combat corruption and ensure that the benefits of mining exploitation accrue to all citizens without exception.

The Minister of Energy, Mines, and Quarries, Yacouba Zabré Gouba, has signed agreements with several mining companies. These groundbreaking agreements pave the way for direct participation of public officials in various stages of mining production, including casting, weighing, packaging, and quality and quantity control of gold and other precious substances.

This initiative marks a major step forward in fulfilling one of the essential functions of the state: monitoring and controlling mining exploitation. By enabling state representatives to actively participate in these processes, the government ensures access to reliable data to guarantee adequate expertise, notably through the laboratories of the Burkina Mines and Geology Bureau (BUMIGEB).

Furthermore, these agreements provide the opportunity to obtain crucial information to verify mining production, thus enhancing transparency and credibility in the sector among the population.

Before the signing of these protocols, monitoring of mining activity was limited to rudimentary exploration measures. Now, thanks to this new proactive approach, Burkina Faso is paving the way for more transparent and responsible governance in the mining sector, ensuring that the country’s wealth truly benefits the entire society.

Sadia Nyaoré