Burkina Faso develops first mining residue treatment plant
Burkina Faso, under the leadership of Captain Ibrahim Traoré, the President of the Transition, officially inaugurated the mining residue processing plant, situated in east of the capital Ouagadougou.
Captain Ibrahim Traoré has positioned Burkina Faso, one of Africa's foremost gold-producing states as the second country in Africa to develop this technology entirely through local production.
The inauguration ceremony held on January 22 was attended by the President of the Transition, Captain Ibrahim Traoré.
The project has been in the development process for over a decade now. It aligns with the West African nation's vision of developing an indigenous mining industry, prioritising local expertise.
"The machines were entirely built here. I can confirm without fear of contradiction that Burkina Faso is the second country in Africa to develop this technology," Traoré was quoted by French media AFP.
This technological advancement empowers the nation to treat mine residues on-site, process residue from Burkina Faso's gold mines, and extract valuable metals from the residues, reports local media Aouaga.
Captain Ibrahim Traoré expressed confidence in the capabilities of Burkinabè artisans to continue producing machines and effectively manage mining residues.
He encouraged African countries to capitalise on Burkina Faso’s expertise in processing mining residues, highlighting the country's technological mastery in the industry.
Traore, who assumed control in a coup in September 2022, stated that the establishment of the factory aligns with his government's efforts to enable the nation to manage its resources. He described the mining residue plant as a technological “revolution”.
In November 2023, the junta-led government initiated the construction of Burkina Faso's first gold refinery, aiming to refine domestic gold production locally rather than abroad. The strategic move aligns with the nation's commitment to managing its abundant resources efficiently.
