#SAMAO2023: Security and local content at the heart of the recommendations

The 5th edition of the West African Mining Week (SAMAO) ended on Friday 29 September 2023. Participants left with a glimmer of hope for the development of local economies, as evidenced by the recommendations made to the mining administration.

The summary of the SAMO 2023 meeting shows that a number of recommendations made by the participants are addressed to the mining authorities (see sidebar at the end of the text). These recommendations were formulated after cross-examinations, exchanges of experience and various proposals. The recommendations were read out by Bancéli Yonli, the general rapporteur.

It was recommended that mining companies should step up their support for securing the area and building socio-economic infrastructure even before mining begins.

Once these recommendations have been integrated, they will make it possible to look to the future with a view to better integrating the extractive sector into the local economy,” said the general rapporteur.

Simon-Pierre Boussim, Minister of Mines, pointed out that the organisation of these mining promotion days is a contribution to the realisation of the Transition’s vision, to impact the development of local economies through the mining sector. By organising this event, Burkina Faso would like to demonstrate its resilience to the world, particularly to national and international investors, and the attractiveness of the sector despite the security challenges. Burkina Faso is a land of investment opportunities”, he said in his speech. He also indicated that the themes developed in this edition, together with the recommendations, will serve as a basis for achieving the objectives of the mining vision for Burkina Faso and the African continent in general. Simon-Pierre Boussim promised that steps will be taken to ensure that the recommendations and resolutions are implemented.

It should be noted that prior to SAMAO, a pre-SAMAO training and experience-sharing workshop on the potential and development issues of the development minerals sector was organised by the DGC.

As a reminder, SAMAO 2023 was held from 28 to 30 September 2023 under the theme: “Mining in Africa: what strategy for impacting the development of local economies”.

K M

Sidebar

Recommendations to the mining authorities

1. Organise stakeholders and strengthening their capacity to supply goods and services in the mining sector;
2. Pool the strengths and efforts of African countries to create a thriving mining sector;
3. Create African mining champions;
4. Create a guarantee fund to support mining subcontractors;
5. Support local initiatives to secure mining sites;
6. Ensure the application of legislation relating to artisanal mining;
7. Promote synergy between the ministries involved in the recovery of quarry substances;
8. Prioritise training in certain specialist areas of mining;

Recommendations to mining companies;

1. Reinforce the support of mining companies in securing the territory;
2. Build socio-economic infrastructure before mining begins.

#Mines_Actu_Burkina