Burkina Faso inaugurates first gold refinery, targets domestic processing

Burkina Faso has inaugurated its first gold refinery as authorities seek to process the country’s mineral resources locally and retain more value from gold production.

According to SaharaReporters, military leader Captain Ibrahim Traoré inaugurated the RAFFINOR-BF refinery in Ouagadougou on Monday.

The facility, which cost more than 11 billion CFA francs, can refine 164 tonnes of gold annually, with capacity expected to rise to 515 tonnes.

“We want to refine all our metals on site, we want to have the entire value chain on site,” Traoré said.

The refinery includes a foundry, laboratory, secure storage facilities and jewellery unit and will process industrial and artisanal gold.

Mines Minister Yacouba Zabré Gouba said: “This is the day we take back the keys to our own house. Our gold will no longer be used to create added value for others while our people remain in need.”

Authorities expect the refinery to create more than 100 direct jobs and about 5,000 indirect jobs nationwide.