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Burkina Faso inaugurates first gold refinery, RAFFINOR-BF

By Drooid · Sep 30, 2026, 2:37 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Traoré Inaugurates Gold Refinery

Captain Ibrahim Traoré inaugurated Burkina Faso's first gold refinery, RAFFINOR-BF, on September 28.
The refinery can initially process up to 164 tonnes of gold per year, about 400 kg daily.
The project cost more than 11 billion CFA francs (? $19 million), funded by the state and domestic partners.
Traoré said the refinery will keep gold processing, certification and sales inside Burkina Faso.
The government projects eventual capacity could rise to 515 tonnes annually in later phases.

Summary

Davido Honors Traoré

Afrobeats star Davido posted an Instagram tribute to Captain Ibrahim Traoré, tagging the president as “Leader!”.
Mines Minister Yacouba Zabré Gouba said the plant will create about 100 direct and 5,000 indirect jobs.
The government links tighter gold control to curbing smuggling that funds jihadist insurgents.
Foreign mining firms must give the state a 15% stake and train local workers.

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Traoré Inaugurates Gold Refinery

Captain Ibrahim Traoré inaugurated Burkina Faso's first gold refinery, RAFFINOR-BF, on September 28.
The refinery can initially process up to 164 tonnes of gold per year, about 400 kg daily.
The project cost more than 11 billion CFA francs (? $19 million), funded by the state and domestic partners.
Traoré said the refinery will keep gold processing, certification and sales inside Burkina Faso.
The government projects eventual capacity could rise to 515 tonnes annually in later phases.

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