The Minister of Energy, Mines and Quarries, Yacouba Zabré Gouba chaired an inauguration ceremony of a shared gold ore processing center on March 18, 2024 in the commune of Méguet (25 km north of Zorgho). This ceremony marks the start of a new era for artisanal miners, with prospects for sustainable development and environmental preservation.
A generator which powers a set of equipment including a jaw crusher which crushes the ore, a ball mill which reduces the ore to powder, a wet mill which kneads the powder, a hydrocyclone concentrator which ensures the sedimentation of the grains and a shaking table which separates gold from other grains; this is all the installations on the shared gold ore processing site of Méguet, precisely in the Kiétinga district.
The primary objective of this inauguration is to formalize and organize artisanal mining, which, although constituting a vital source of income for many communities, has until now been characterized by its informal and often precarious character. The gover
nment, through this center, aims to provide a secure and equipped environment to artisanal miners for the effective and efficient processing of gold ore, while preserving the local ecosystem.
This center, equipped with gravimetric processing units meeting environmental standards, will provide a favorable framework for nearly 2,000 artisanal miners from Méguet, grouped into cooperatives, to exploit their resources responsibly. The implementation of this pilot project is the result of a collaboration between the government, the company West African Ressources which ceded part of its perimeter for the establishment of the site, the simplified cooperative society ‘NONG-TAABA’ of Méguet, beneficiary of the jewel and the local authorities.
In his inaugural speech, Minister Yacouba Zabré Gouba underlined the crucial importance of this initiative of the National Society of Precious Substances (SONASP) for the artisanal mining sector. He expressed his gratitude to all stakeholders, emphasizing the government’s commi
tment to supporting and assisting artisanal miners in their activity. He also recalled the environmental, social and economic challenges associated with artisanal mining, emphasizing the need for reforms to ensure sustainable development of the sector.
The treatment center will help reduce dependence on chemicals and minimize harmful impacts on health and the ecosystem. The members of the Nong-taaba cooperative society, beneficiaries of this initiative, expressed their satisfaction and gratitude to the government for this innovative vision.
However, this despite progress, the spokesperson for artisanal miners expressed certain grievances, notably the interference of customary authorities in their affairs. He then called for taking the example of the traditional chiefs of Méguet and Tanghin for more equitable and transparent management of the sector.
In short, the Méguet shared gold ore processing center is the first of ten government that plans to inaugurate in 2024. This inauguration marks a major turning
point in the development of the artisanal mining sector in Burkina Faso. This historic event demonstrates the government’s commitment to supporting mining communities and promoting sustainable development while respecting the environment and workers’ rights.
Source: Burkina Information Agency