Burkina Faso’s transitional government, led by Ibrahim Traoré, has announced plans to withdraw mining permits from certain foreign companies as part of a strategy to increase the country’s domestic gold production.
In a radio address over the weekend marking two years since his coup, Traoré emphasized that Burkina Faso is capable of mining its own gold, questioning the need for multinationals to handle the resource.
“We are going to withdraw mining permits,” Traoré declared, though he did not specify which companies would be affected or provide further details.
Gold is Burkina Faso’s main export, and the country is home to several international mining companies, including Endeavour Mining (UK), West African Resources (Australia), Nordgold (Russia), and Orezone Gold Corporation (Canada).