Burkina Faso opens first gold refinery
Summary
Burkina Faso has opened its first gold refinery in Ouagadougou as President Ibrahim Traore pushes to process and certify the country’s natural resources at home. The junta says the plant will strengthen economic sovereignty and reduce dependence on Western partners.
Key Points
- Burkina Faso inaugurated its first gold refinery, Raffinor-BF, in the capital Ouagadougou.
- President Ibrahim Traore framed the refinery as part of a drive for economic sovereignty and local control over natural resources.
- The refinery has a yearly capacity of 164 tonnes of gold, with a target of 515 tonnes, and cost more than 11 billion CFA francs.
- The move comes as West African countries tighten control over mining and as Burkina Faso faces ongoing extremist violence and criticism of the military junta.
