SAMAO 2025 puts mine rehabilitation at the heart of the debate

Ouagadougou is preparing to host the 7th edition of West Africa Mining Week (SAMAO) from 25 to 27 September 2025. This major event will bring together more than 2,000 participants around a crucial theme: “Mine rehabilitation and closure: what strategies for a successful transition in Africa?”

The choice of this theme is particularly important given the remarkable expansion of the mining sector in Burkina Faso.

Gold production has increased from 5.6 tonnes in 2008 to 60.771 tonnes in 2024, of which 53.375 tonnes come from industrial mining.

The country now has 22 valid industrial mining permits, generating 567.226 billion CFA francs in revenue for the state in 2024.

Organised under the patronage of Prime Minister Rimtalba Jean Emmanuel Ouédraogo, this edition will serve as a forum for exchanges between public and private actors on the environmental and social issues related to post-mining.

Seven sub-themes will be developed, including land compensation, rehabilitation techniques, cost control and worker retraining.

Particular attention will be paid to innovations for green mining, as well as to the achievements of the countries of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) in the field of mining rehabilitation.

Technical workshops, B2B meetings and visits to mining sites will complete the programme.

The mining sector in Burkina Faso, which directly employs 19,308 people, has also contributed to local development through the Local Development Mining Fund, which has mobilised 157 billion CFA francs between 2020 and 2024 for municipalities and regions.

SAMAO 2025 promises to be an essential platform for addressing the challenges of the post-mining transition and ensuring sustainable development for local communities affected by mining.

Maurice K.ZONGO