Burkina Faso’s government has approved an industrial mining permit for the Bouboulou gold mine, granting exploitation rights to SOPAMIB BOUBOULOU SA, a subsidiary of the state-owned Société de Participation Minière du Burkina (SOPAMIB). Located in Yako in the Yaadga region, the mine is estimated to contain 10.77 million tonnes of ore and is expected to produce 7.27 tonnes of gold over a 15-year operating period. The project represents an investment of more than 32 billion CFA francs and marks the government’s return as a direct operator in the country’s mining sector.
Authorities estimate the project will generate nearly 39 billion CFA francs in direct public revenue, including more than 34.5 billion CFA francs for the state budget and over 4.4 billion CFA francs for the Mining Development Fund. Nearly 966 million CFA francs has also been allocated for mine rehabilitation and closure, while the project is expected to create and sustain more than 1,200 direct and indirect jobs. The initiative forms part of broader mining reforms under the government of Captain Ibrahim Traoré, aimed at strengthening state control over Burkina Faso’s mineral resources.
