Economic Sovereignty: Burkina Faso Shatters Records with 94-Tonne Gold Output

Post By DJ Longers
February 4, 2026

Economic Sovereignty: Burkina Faso Shatters Records with 94-Tonne Gold Output

OUAGADOUGOU — Burkina Faso has officially entered a new era of mineral dominance, announcing a historic 94 tonnes of gold production for the 2025 calendar year. The figure represents a staggering 47% increase over 2024’s output, cementing the nation’s status as one of Africa’s premier mining powerhouses during a period of record-high global gold prices.

The milestone was confirmed yesterday by Yacouba Zabré Gouba, Minister of Energy, Mines and Quarries, during a performance report presented to Prime Minister Rimtalba Jean Emmanuel Ouédraogo.

The Artisanal Revolution

The most significant driver behind the record-breaking surge was not industrial expansion, but the aggressive formalization of the artisanal mining sector.

Artisanal Contribution: Approximately 42 tonnes (nearly 45% of total output) came from small-scale and semi-mechanized mining.
Formalization Efforts: The spike is attributed to the success of the National Company for Precious Substances (SONASP), which established nation-wide buying counters to capture gold that previously vanished into illicit cross-border circuits.
SOPAMIB Success: The operationalization of the state-owned Burkina Faso Mining Participation Company (SOPAMIB) has allowed the government to exert tighter oversight and take direct equity stakes in extractive projects.

“The mining sector performed exceptionally well in 2025,” Minister Gouba stated. “These results are the fruit of reforms anchored in economic sovereignty, ensuring that our natural resources benefit the Burkinabè people first and foremost.”

Industrial Gains Amid Tighter Rules

While artisanal miners stole the headlines, the industrial sector remained robust. Major players like West African Resources (operating the Sanbrado and Kiaka mines) and Orezone (Bomboré mine) met or exceeded their production targets despite a tightening regulatory environment.

Under the leadership of Captain Ibrahim Traoré, the transitional government has revised the national mining code to increase the state's free-carried interest from 10% to 15%, with ongoing requests to raise stakes in key projects like Kiaka to as much as 50%.

Financing a Nation at War

The timing of this "Gold Rush" is critical. With gold prices currently hovering near $5,000 per ounce, the 94-tonne haul provides a vital financial lifeline for a government currently battling a persistent regional insurgency.

The mining revenue has already begun flowing into public infrastructure, with the Ministry reporting:

160,000 new households connected to the national electricity grid in 2025.
Over 165 kilometers of new high-voltage transmission lines.
The installation of 25,000 streetlights to improve urban security.

2026: The Road Ahead

Looking toward the remainder of 2026, the government plans to restructure the Bureau of Mines and Geology (BUMIGEB) and transition more artisanal miners into formal cooperatives. Authorities are also targeting the launch of 10 semi-mechanized projects led entirely by local private investors.

As the "Land of Honest Men" continues to dig deep, the message from Ouagadougou is clear: the gold stays, the sovereignty grows, and the record books are just beginning to be rewritten.