Burkina Faso has just taken a big step in managing its resources. For the first time, the government has turned mining waste into pure gold bars — 44 of them, to be exact. These bars, weighing an impressive 93 kilograms, were handed over to Prime Minister Rimtalba Jean Emmanuel Ouedraogo on Tuesday in the capital city of Ouagadougou. He accepted them on behalf of the country’s interim leader, Captain Ibrahim Traore.
This is no ordinary gold. It came from leftover materials called “fine coal,” which are the remains left behind after gold is extracted from ore. Normally, this waste would have been ignored or sent abroad for further processing. But thanks to a local company called Golden Hand SA, the gold was recovered right here in Burkina Faso.
Golden Hand SA, which was launched earlier this year, uses cutting-edge and eco-friendly technology to extract gold from mining residues. The company processed 142 tonnes of waste from the Essakane mine, operated by IAMGOLD Essakane SA, to create these gold bars. And there’s more to come — the government plans to process over 298 tonnes of mining waste in the near future, potentially adding even more gold to the country’s reserves.
A New Era for Burkina Faso’s Gold
This achievement is part of a larger plan by Burkina Faso’s government to keep more of its natural wealth within the country. Prime Minister Ouedraogo highlighted this point, calling it a step toward “sustainable socio-economic development.” Instead of exporting mining residues to other countries for processing, Burkina Faso is now doing it locally, creating jobs and boosting the economy in the process.
The government sees this as a symbol of self-reliance and economic independence. Interim leader Ibrahim Traore called the new Golden Hand SA plant a “landmark achievement” when it was inaugurated in January 2024. Before this plant existed, the country had little choice but to send mining residues abroad, missing out on the full value of its resources.
Golden Hand SA itself is a joint venture between the government, which owns 40%, and local businessmen, who own the remaining 60%. This public-private partnership ensures that the profits stay within Burkina Faso, benefiting its people.
Environmentally Friendly Gold Extraction
One of the most exciting parts of this initiative is its commitment to the environment. The general director of Golden Hand SA, Joachim Marie Emmanuel Tapsoba, explained that the technology they use is not only advanced but also eco-friendly. This means Burkina Faso is turning mining waste into gold without harming the environment — a win-win for the country.
A Bright Future Ahead
This achievement is part of a bigger trend in Burkina Faso’s gold industry. In 2023, the country ranked as the world’s 15th-largest gold producer, with production increasing by 4% compared to the previous year. Earlier this year, the National Society of Precious Substances also purchased over 13 tonnes of gold from January to August, showing the growing strength of the local gold market.
This success didn’t happen overnight. Last December, Burkina Faso made a groundbreaking agreement with IAMGOLD Essakane SA to take back 440 tonnes of mining waste. That waste is now being transformed into something valuable, showing the country’s determination to fully benefit from its natural resources.
Burkina Faso’s decision to process its gold locally marks a bold new direction for the nation. With every gold bar it produces, the country is proving that it can turn challenges into opportunities, creating a future that shines as brightly as the gold it now holds.
