Faith Nyasuguta
Burkina Faso is taking a significant step towards enhancing its control over the gold industry by prioritizing local mining over foreign operations. In a recent announcement, President Ibrahim Traore revealed that the West African country intends to revoke the mining permits of several foreign companies as part of its drive for greater economic autonomy.
During a radio broadcast commemorating his two years in power, President Traore emphasized that Burkina Faso has the knowledge and capacity to mine its own gold, questioning why multinational corporations should continue to extract this valuable resource.
“We know how to mine our gold, and I don’t understand why we’re going to let multinationals come and mine it,” Traore stated, adding, “In fact, we are going to withdraw mining permits.”
While the government has not yet disclosed which foreign companies will lose their permits, prominent mining firms such as Endeavour Mining (UK), West African Resources (Australia), Nordgold (Russia), and Orezone Gold Corporation (Canada) currently operate within the country. The move aligns with Burkina Faso’s broader efforts to reduce reliance on Western nations and strengthen ties with new partners, particularly Russia.
Burkina Faso’s pivot away from Western influence has been a focal point of its policies since Traore’s rise to power. The country, rich in gold reserves, has long depended on foreign mining companies to drive its gold sector, but recent efforts aim to shift that dynamic in favor of local producers.
The announcement comes amidst broader geopolitical changes. Since Captain Ibrahim Traore took control following two coups in 2022, Burkina Faso has actively distanced itself from its former Western allies, particularly France and the U.S., while establishing stronger connections with Russia. Traore has justified his takeover by pointing to worsening security conditions in the country and dissatisfaction with foreign involvement.
Burkina Faso’s increasing frustration with the West is evident in several decisions, including the suspension of various Western media outlets. The country’s communications authority banned networks like BBC Africa and Voice of America after their coverage of a Human Rights Watch report accusing the Burkinabe military of extrajudicial killings.
These media blackouts, along with the recent expulsion of foreign miners, reflect the government’s intent to chart its own course and reduce external influence.
This shift, coupled with the strategic expulsion of foreign gold miners, is a bold move by Burkina Faso as it seeks to regain control over its resources and assert its independence on the global stage.
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