Burkina Faso to Shut Down Artisanal Gold Mining Sites in 20 Villages

By Emmanuel Tumanjong

Special to Dow Jones Newswires

The government of Burkina Faso said Wednesday that it will shut down artisanal gold-mining sites in 20 villages of the county's Center-East region.

The operation is expected to start on Jan, 23, 2023, according to a government statement, which linked the sites to criminal activity.

Gold production has become a key feature in Burkina Faso's economy in the last 15 years. In 2021, the country exported 66,858 metric tons of gold, up from 5.6 tons in 2008, according to government figures.

In 2018, the National Agency for the Supervision of Artisanal and Semi-mechanized Mining Operations found more than 800 artisanal mining sites in the country.

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(END) Dow Jones Newswires

01-19-23 0740ET