OUAGADOUGOU — Burkina Faso opened its first domestic gold refinery, Raffinor-BF, in the capital Ouagadougou to process and certify gold locally. The facility marks a step in the government's effort to retain the value of mineral resources within national borders.

The refinery is located on five hectares and has an initial processing capacity of 164 tonnes of gold per year. Officials stated that the project has a target capacity of 515 tonnes per year as operations expand. The Raffinor-BF project cost more than 11 billion CFA francs ($19 million), according to the presidency. Financing for the facility came from the government, including through the National Precious Metals Company (SONASP), and from the private sector.

President Ibrahim Traore addressed the opening at a press conference, outlining the administration's policy on resource management. "From now on, gold from Burkina Faso must not only be extracted in Burkina Faso, it must be processed, controlled, valued and certified in Burkina Faso," Traore said. He emphasized the broader economic philosophy guiding the initiative.

"Natural resources belong to the people. They must contribute to improve their living conditions, with respect for the environment, social justice and in the interest of future generations," he added.

Mines Minister Yacouba Zabré Gouba also spoke at the event, describing the refinery as a tool for economic sovereignty. "This is the day we take back the keys to our own house. Our gold will no longer be used to create added value for others while our people remain in need," Gouba said.

Traore further clarified the strategic intent behind the infrastructure. "We want to refine all our metals on site.. we want to have the entire value chain on site," he said.

The opening follows a series of regulatory changes implemented by the government to increase state control over the mining sector. Foreign mining firms in Burkina Faso are required to give the state a 15% stake in their operations. These firms are also required to train local workers as part of their operational mandates.

In 2024, Burkina Faso suspended exports of gold produced by artisanal and semi-mechanised mines. This measure was designed to curb smuggling and channel production through official state entities.

Ibrahim Traore has ruled Burkina Faso since a military coup in September 2022. The 38-year-old army captain has tied his political legitimacy to reclaiming control over the nation's natural resources. His administration has prioritized nationalist economic policies, including state control of mining and reduced reliance on foreign partners. Gold contributes 16-17% of Burkina Faso's GDP and 75-80% of its export earnings, according to reports.

Production figures indicate a growing output in the sector. Burkina Faso's 2025 gold production reached 94 tonnes, according to government figures, representing a 30-tonne increase from 2024. Of this total, 43 tonnes were sourced from artisanal and semi-mechanized operations.

The National Precious Metals Company (SONASP) collected 8 tonnes of gold in 2024 and 11 tonnes in the first quarter of 2025, primarily from artisanal miners. SONASP was designated as the sole channel for purchasing artisanal gold in 2024, per the African Mirror.

Timeline

Burkina Faso suspended exports of gold produced by artisanal and semi-mechanised mines in 2024. Worldwide mine gold output reached an estimated record 3,672 tonnes in 2025, according to the World Gold Council. World Gold Council data shows Burkina Faso's gold output rose by 17% year-on-year in the second quarter of 2026.

What's New

Later reporting provided additional details on the financial and strategic scope of the new facility. The Raffinor-BF refinery cost more than 11bn CFA francs ($19m; £14m), according to the presidency. President Traore stated, "We want to refine all our metals on site.. we want to have the entire value chain on site." Mines Minister Yacouba Zabré Gouba said, "This is the day we take back the keys to our own house. Our gold will no longer be used to create added value for others while our people remain in need." Additional context revealed that Burkina Faso revised its mining code in 2024 to establish the Société de Participation Minière du Burkina (SOPAMIB), a state mining company tasked with increasing national control over mineral resources.

Burkina Faso's 2025 gold production reached 94 tonnes, according to government figures, representing a 30-tonne increase from 2024, with 43 tonnes sourced from artisanal and semi-mechanized operations. The World Gold Council reported that global gold mine output reached a record 3,672 tonnes in 2025, driven by increased production in Burkina Faso and other African nations pursuing local processing initiatives.

How Sources Differ

Reporting on the status of artisanal gold presents differing details from government sources. Burkina Faso government authorities report that Burkina Faso produced 94 tonnes of gold last year, according to authorities.

Why It Matters

The opening of Raffinor-BF represents a concrete implementation of the government's strategy to capture more value from its primary export. With gold accounting for up to 80% of export earnings, the ability to process and certify the metal domestically shifts economic leverage away from foreign refiners. The requirement for a 15% state stake in foreign mining operations and the establishment of SOPAMIB further consolidate state control over the sector. These measures align with President Traore's stated goal of reducing reliance on foreign partners and addressing the needs of the local population through resource nationalism.

The refinery's initial capacity of 164 tonnes exceeds the 94 tonnes produced in 2025, suggesting potential for processing imported or previously smuggled gold. Global gold output reached a record 3,672 tonnes in 2025, with African nations increasingly pursuing local processing initiatives. Burkina Faso's 17% year-on-year output growth in the second quarter of 2026 indicates continued expansion despite security challenges. The integration of artisanal gold into the formal economy through SONASP aims to reduce smuggling and increase state revenue from small-scale mining operations.