Africa-Press. The mining sector in Burkina Faso posted a historic performance in 2025, with national gold production reaching approximately 94 tons, according to official figures announced by the Minister of Energy, Mines and Quarries, Yakouba Zabré Gouba. This represents the highest level ever recorded in the country, an increase of more than 30 tons compared with 2024.
Presenting the annual performance report to Prime Minister Rimtalba Jean Emmanuel Ouédraogo, the minister said the achievement was driven by a combination of industrial production, artisanal mining, and government sales.
He noted that around 42 tons came from traditional mining activities, highlighting the growing role of the informal sector in the national economy. He also revealed that the ministry achieved an implementation rate of 89.66% under its performance contract, attributing this to structural reforms based on the principle of “economic sovereignty.”
The minister further attributed the surge to the operational launch of the state-owned company SOPAMIB, as well as tighter oversight of 15 industrial mines currently operating in the country. Campaigns to combat illicit gold trafficking also led to the recovery of nearly 10 kilograms of the precious metal from illegal networks.
Reforms planned for 2026
The government plans to pursue deeper reforms in 2026, including the restructuring of the Bureau of Mines and Geology and the formal organization of artisanal mining into official cooperatives.
Authorities also aim to launch at least ten semi-mechanized mining projects led entirely by domestic private-sector investors. “In 2026, we will work to firmly entrench sovereignty in the energy and mining sectors,” Minister Gouba said.
