Burkina Faso: Mining reforms, a lever for sustainable development

On November 20, 2024, the Burkinabe government approved a decree detailing the processes for awarding and managing mining titles. This decree is based on Law No. 16-2024/ALT, passed by the Transition Legislative Assembly on July 18, 2024. It is designed to transform the mining sector into a key driver of sustainable economic and social development in the country.

The government has outlined clear goals with these reforms. The primary objective is to maximize the economic benefits of mining for local communities and the nation as a whole.

This includes ensuring a fairer distribution of mining revenues and increasing contributions to the national budget for essential infrastructure projects.

Another key focus is to improve the transparency and accountability in the management of mineral resources.

By strengthening regulations surrounding the issuance and exploitation of mining titles, the government aims to combat corruption and monopolies within the sector.

Enhancing geological knowledge and better utilizing the country’s mineral resources is also a top priority.

The Bureau of Mines and Geology (BUMIGEB) will play a crucial role in conducting scientific and technical studies to improve resource management.

The new decree introduces several innovative measures to improve the sector’s inclusivity and efficiency.

These include categorizing mineral substances for better management, limiting the maximum area for exploration permits to 150 km², expanding semi-mechanized permits to support local small- and medium-sized enterprises, and limiting each beneficiary to a maximum of seven exploration permits to prevent resource concentration.

This decree reinforces Burkina Faso’s commitment to sustainable resource management, ensuring that the mining sector becomes a catalyst for economic growth, job creation, and environmental preservation for future generations.

Cédric KABORE