OUAGADOUGOU, July 8 (Xinhua) -- The third edition of the Burkina Faso Mining Forum opened on Tuesday in the capital Ouagadougou, bringing together stakeholders to discuss ways to promote safer and more sustainable development of the country's mining sector.
Organized by the Chamber of Mines of Burkina Faso, the three-day forum runs under the theme "Health, Safety and Environment: Unlocking the Full Potential of the Mining Industry."
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Burkina Faso's Minister of Energy, Mines, and Quarries, Yacouba Zabre Gouba said that the mining sector has become a strategic pillar of Burkina Faso's economy.
According to the minister, Burkina Faso produced about 94 tonnes of gold in 2025, while mining revenues exceeded 900 billion CFA francs (about 1.6 billion U.S. dollars).
Beyond its contribution to public finances, the sector remains a major source of direct and indirect employment and plays an active role in financing the country's development, Gouba said.
He stressed, however, that the sector's economic performance must be accompanied by responsible management of health, workplace safety, and environmental protection.
"Workplace accidents, occupational diseases, the preservation of natural resources, the management of mining waste and the health impacts on local communities all require a responsible, coordinated and sustainable approach," the minister said.
Participants will discuss best practices in occupational health and safety, environmental management, and corporate social responsibility throughout the forum, with the aim of strengthening the long-term sustainability of Burkina Faso's mining industry. ■
