Burkina Faso is gearing up for a significant boost in gold production in 2025, with two major mining projects poised to ramp up operations.
Leading the charge is Soleil Resources International, which resumed output at its Youga mine in the country’s south last October. Joining it soon is West African Resources’ Kiaka project, a new development in the southeast slated to begin production in the third quarter of 2025.
According to Aristide Belemsobgo, Director General of Mines and Geology at the Ministry of Energy, Mines and Quarries, output from industrial mining operations is expected to rise by 4% this year, reaching 55.7 tonnes.
Gold is Burkina Faso’s most valuable export—and a crucial pillar of its economy. This was recently reaffirmed by Captain Ibrahim Traoré, who seized power in a 2022 military coup and now leads the junta government.
However, the sector has faced significant setbacks in recent years. A surge in militant violence has forced several mining operations to shut down, reducing overall national output. Despite this, the return of the Youga mine and the arrival of Kiaka signal a turnaround for the industry.
While Belemsobgo did not offer projections for artisanal mining, he noted that small-scale operations contributed 8.1 tonnes last year. Combined with industrial output, Burkina Faso produced a total of 61.5 tonnes of gold in 2023.
The expected growth in gold production could provide much-needed revenue for the government as it battles a worsening Islamist insurgency. Since taking control, the junta has pivoted away from Western partnerships and strengthened ties with Russia.
Amid soaring global gold prices—which recently hit record highs—Burkina Faso’s government moved in 2023 to revise its mining code, increasing royalties to capture greater value from the sector.
With rising output, new revenue streams, and shifting alliances, gold is once again at the heart of Burkina Faso’s economic and political future.