Burkina Faso: On behalf of Captain Ibrahim Traoré, PM Rimtalba Jean Emmanuel Ouédraogo, presided over the ceremony to hand over the first gold bars from Essakane
On Tuesday, December 10, 2024, Burkina Faso reached a significant milestone with the official handover of the first gold bars produced from the processing of fine coal cargo at the Essakane gold mine, now under state control. The ceremony, chaired by Prime Minister Rimtalba Jean Emmanuel Ouédraogo on behalf of President Ibrahim Traoré, marks the government’s strong commitment to promoting national and sovereign management of its mineral resources.
According to officials, GOLDEN HAND SA processed 142.37 tons of mining residues, representing 32.31% of the total cargo. This operation resulted in the production of 44 gold bars weighing a total of 93.197 kilograms, along with 1.628 kilograms of slag. This first delivery will be used to strengthen the nation’s gold reserves, symbolizing the government’s determination to maximize the benefits of national resources for the country.
This initiative is part of the strategic vision of the current Transitional leadership, which aims to capitalize on Burkina Faso’s natural wealth by leveraging local expertise. By taking control of abandoned assets, the state affirms its intention to use mining resources as a driver for economic development, benefitting the Burkinabe people.
The handover of these gold bars represents more than just a technical achievement; it reflects a new approach to managing natural resources. This gesture marks a turning point in the construction of a sovereign economy, where the fruits of mining operations will primarily serve the national interest.
