In 2022, Burkina Faso underwent two military coups that had a profound impact on its mining sector. The first took place on January 24, when soldiers ousted President Roch Marc Christian Kaboré due to escalating insecurity and public dissatisfaction. Despite the political instability, mining operations, particularly gold production, continued largely unaffected. However, foreign investors became increasingly cautious, and regulatory reforms slowed. Burkina Faso, Africa’s fourth-largest gold producer, had been attracting significant investment, with mining contributing around 13% of the country’s GDP and accounting for 75% of its export revenue.
Later that year, on October 2, a second coup led by Captain Ibrahim Traoré resulted in another shift in power. Traoré emphasized security and economic stability, aiming to streamline bureaucratic processes that had hindered investment. Internal divisions within the military, particularly regarding counterinsurgency strategies, played a crucial role in this leadership change. Despite this, multinational mining companies reported minimal operational disruptions.
As Traoré consolidated power, he implemented policies to increase national control over Burkina Faso’s gold resources. In October 2024, he announced plans to revoke certain mining permits from foreign companies, signaling a shift toward prioritizing domestic gold production. Although specific firms were not named, the decision created uncertainty in the sector, prompting major stakeholders to seek clarification on their investments. This move aligned with broader trends in the Sahel region, where countries like Mali and Niger also sought to renegotiate mining agreements, often leading to legal disputes and nationalizations.
The security situation remained a key concern, with Burkina Faso battling an insurgency that had displaced nearly two million people. Armed groups frequently targeted gold mines, using profits from illicit mining to finance their operations. In response, the government shut down 43 artisanal gold mining sites in the Boucle du Mouhoun region in March 2023. The closures were intended to curb jihadist violence, which had increasingly disrupted the sector.
Despite political instability and security challenges, Burkina Faso produced 57.4 tonnes of gold in 2022, a slight decrease from 66.8 tonnes in 2021. The government aimed to strengthen oversight of the mining sector, ensuring that gold revenues contributed more directly to national development. The two coups reshaped Burkina Faso’s approach to resource governance, reflecting a broader push for economic sovereignty while navigating complex security threats and investor concerns.
