Burkina Faso’s truck drivers will not be taking part in the supply convoy to the Bougou mine. This was announced by the executive committee of the National Union of Truck Drivers of Burkina Faso (Union Nationale des Chauffeurs Routiers du Burkina – UCRB) in a press release issued in Ouagadougou on 26 September 2023.
They cite as reasons the “accentuated” deterioration of the road infrastructure along the route, in particular the sabotage of bridges by terrorists and the current winter period, which does not favour any supplies. “You will remember that the sabotage of the bridges even forced hundreds of lorries to stay for 3 months before returning to Ouagadougou, with all the possible difficulties. The drivers still remember this painful journey”, reads the press release.
While waiting for these aspects to be taken into account, the lorry drivers say they remain available for other possible destinations.
The Boungou mine is located in the commune of Partiaga, in the Eastern region. The Boungou mining permit was awarded to Samafo, which was the first company to operate the mine. But on 6 November 2019, a terrorist attack on a mine convoy cost the lives of around thirty people. Samafo will sell the mine to Endeavour in 2020. Boungou will pass from Endeavour to Lilium Capital on 30 June 2023.
The attack on 6 November 2019 is not the last. In September 2012, 06 gendarmes were killed in an attack on a military convoy escorting fuel tanks for the Boungou mining company. In August 2022, another convoy from the Boungou mine was attacked some twenty kilometres from the mine. At least 7 people were killed.
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PH: DR
