Burkina Faso: the security of mining sites in debate after several attacks
A granite mine near Ouagadougou, January 29, 2022 (illustrative image) AFP - JOHN WESSELS
Text by: RFI Follow
1 min
After several attacks in three days targeting a convoy and installations of mining companies in Burkina Faso.
Facts that worry industrial mining companies and also artisanal gold mining.
The National Office for the Securing of Mining Sites (Onassim), supposed to ensure the protection of mines, is struggling to carry out its mission.
On a dozen industrial mines, Onassim only provides security on three sites.
Other companies having already contracted with other security services, such as the police or the gendarmerie.
Advertising
Read more
With our correspondent in Ouagadougou,
Yaya Boudani
“
Several industrial mines
have contracted directly with the Gendarmerie and the Police for their security
”, underlines a specialist who investigated the subject.
"
These security contracts have not been automatically retroceded to the National Office for the Security of Mining Sites since its creation
", maintains a manager of this structure.
With the mobilization of the defense and security forces, on the battlefield
against terrorism
, it is difficult at this time to provide each mining company with a large number of military forces to secure their personnel and installations. to know.
The option of a mixed security team, made up of community actors, defense and security forces, is under consideration.
"
In this configuration, each entity will play a very specific role
" maintains an official of Onassim.
Private military companies are currently not authorized in Burkina Faso, contrary to the wishes of some mining companies.
"
We do not know what types of weapons these private military companies will use and given the context, it would be difficult to always have control over these companies
", underlines the side of the National Office for the Security of mining sites.
Newsletter
Receive all the international news directly in your mailbox
I subscribe
Follow all the international news by downloading the RFI application
google-play-badge_EN
Burkina Faso
Terrorism