APA-Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso) The transitional government is considering setting up a brigade within the army to secure mining sites, which have been targeted by jihadist groups.
The Minister of Mines, Simon Pierre Boussim, on Tuesday 14 March 2023, told parliament that the government is studying the idea of creating a brigade to secure mining sites in Burkina Faso.
The transitional authorities also plan to reinforce military escorts of supply convoys to mining sites and to provide the soldiers in charge of securing investments in the mining sector with substantial equipment, said Minister Boussim.
These measures come at a time when mining sites and convoys of employees and supplies are increasingly being targeted by jihadist groups.
Gold sites eyed by jihadists
Six industrial mines have closed due to insecurity, resulting in a loss of revenue to the state of more than five billion CFA francs and the loss of more than 2,500 jobs, according to the Ministry of Mines.
According to Minister Simon Pierre Boussim, gold production has dropped by 13.73 percent, from 66.858 tons at the end of December 2021 to 57.675 tons at the end of December 2022.
Also read – Burkina: mining activity put to the test by terrorism
Simon Pierre Boussim indicates that several studies have established a link between gold mining and the financing of terrorism. That is why, in his opinion, the government has ordered the closure of mining sites throughout the country.
It recognises that this measure is counterproductive, as it increases the risk that impoverished artisanal miners will join the ranks of armed terrorist groups. The authorities are considering reopening the gold mining sites, but want to assign some civilian army replacements to provide security.
The mining sector has been hard hit by the security crisis.
The government has sold its shares in two mining outfits to private companies.
According to information from APA, Endeavour Mining may sell its mine in Boungou (East) or Wahignon (Cascades), located in two regions that have been affected by the violence of jihadist groups.
This sale would be linked to insecurity.
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