Burkina Faso revokes Taparko mine permit in assertion of economic sovereignty
In a significant move to reinforce national sovereignty over mineral resources, the Burkinabe government, under the leadership of President Captain Ibrahim Traoré, has withdrawn the industrial mining permit for the Taparko gold mine from Taparko Mining S.A. The decision, enacted on September 11, aligns with the country’s 2024 Mining Code and reflects a firm commitment to restoring state authority and safeguarding strategic national assets.
The revocation responds to chronic operational failures, including internal corporate disputes, prolonged production halts, unmet socio-economic commitments, and reputational damage to Burkina Faso’s mining sector.
By reclaiming direct control of the Taparko site, the state aims to resume and optimize production, maximize local economic benefits, create jobs, and serve the needs of surrounding communities.
This decision underscores a broader shift in Burkina Faso’s approach to natural resource management: mining operations must now align with national interests, including transparency, social justice, local value addition, and equitable benefit-sharing.
Related: Burkina Faso: Strengthening mining sovereignty with an additional 35% stake in the Kiaka project
The move signals the end of an era of impunity for underperforming or non-compliant foreign operators.
In 2023, the extractive sector contributed over 581 billion CFA francs in state revenue. The government now seeks to ensure that mining serves as a lever for economic independence rather than foreign interference or financial speculation.
The Taparko permit withdrawal marks a turning point in Burkina Faso’s pursuit of economic justice and resource sovereignty.
It embodies a new model of mining governance one centered on endogenous development, community resilience, and national self-determination.
Olivier TOE
