On Tuesday 19 December 2023, the Mines and Geology Department (Direction générale des Mines et de la Géologie – DGMG) of the Ministry of Energy, Mines and Quarries (MEMQ) organised a preliminary workshop in Ouagadougou to draw up a strategy for defining critical minerals for Burkina Faso. The opening ceremony was chaired by Yaya Sankara, Director of Cabinet at the Ministry.
“This workshop is a forum for reflection to ensure that Burkina Faso can benefit rationally and profitably from the diversification of mining and optimise mining revenue for the state budget and local authorities, and to ensure that mineral resources are available for future generations,” said Yaya Sankara, MEMC Chief of Staff.
According to Aristide Belemsobgo, Director General of Mines and Geology, this search for critical minerals will enable Burkina Faso to reduce pollution and become self-sufficient in terms of energy. These critical minerals will also be used to manufacture electric batteries and solar panels.
This workshop is being held in a special context for Burkina Faso.
Previous work by the Burkina Faso Bureau of Mines and Geology (Bureau des Mines et de la Géologie du Burkina – BUMIGEB), the Geological and Mining Research Bureau (Bureau de Recherche Géologique et Minière – BRGM), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and other bilateral and multilateral partners has highlighted other potentialities that will enable Burkina to better undertake the diversity of its mining production that it envisages through its 2017-2026 mining and quarrying strategy.
In addition to this work, current research has revealed the presence of lithium, cobalt, nickel, vanadium, uranium and zinc. Significant copper showings have been identified near the Netiana mine and at Sartenga.
There is strong demand for base metals and radioactive substances. These metals will be used in the transition to green and renewable energies. The manufacture of high-performance batteries is leading to a frantic race for these metals. According to a study carried out by the World Bank in 2020, demand for base and strategic metals will continue to grow until 2050. Like many other countries, Burkina Faso needs to clearly define the critical and strategic minerals it needs for its development, in order to add value and avoid erosion of the base.
This 3-day workshop, under the leadership of the General Directorate of Mines and Geology, is being held with this aim of becoming involved in the search for critical minerals. The aim of the workshop is to draw up a strategy for defining critical minerals for Burkina Faso. It will bring together technical structures from the ministry, the WAEMU, universities, companies involved in geology and mining research in Burkina Faso, and a number of experts.
Participants will take stock of strategic critical minerals in the world and the current state of research into strategic minerals in Burkina Faso, and propose solutions to promote research into critical minerals.
Moniratou BANDE
