Burkina Faso is set to increase industrial gold production by 4% in 2025, driven by the revival of two major mining projects amid tightening state control and ongoing security challenges.
According to Aristide Belemsobgo from the Ministry of Energy, Mines and Quarries, output from large-scale operations is projected to reach 55.7 metric tons this year. The increase comes as Soleil Resources International Ltd. ramps up production at the Youga mine and Australia’s West African Resources Ltd. prepares to launch output at its Kiaka mine in the third quarter.
Gold remains Burkina Faso’s top export and a key source of revenue for the junta government, which seized power in a 2022 coup. However, years of instability and insurgent attacks have forced several mines to shut down. The recent rebound in production is seen as a vital financial lifeline for the military-led government, which has severed many ties with Western allies and pivoted toward Russia for security and economic cooperation.
The junta revised the country’s mining code in 2023 to capture higher royalties during gold booms and reduce foreign dominance in the sector. Canadian and European firms have exited in recent years, citing rising operational risks, while Russia’s Nordgold recently secured a new license. With global gold prices at record highs, Burkina Faso hopes the mining resurgence will help stabilize its fragile economy and fund its fight against Islamist insurgents.