The government of Burkina Faso is engaged in constructive discussions to increase its stake in the Kiaka gold project to 25 percent, a move that has unfolded without operational disruption, according to reporting by Business Insider Africa and Mining Weekly.
The proposed increase would apply to Kiaka SA, which operates the Kiaka goldmine. Currently, Australia-listed West African Resources holds about 90 percent of the project, while the Burkinabe state owns 10 percent under existing mining legislation. The government is exploring mechanisms, through its mining investment arm SOPAMIB, to raise its participation in line with broader reforms aimed at strengthening national ownership in strategic mineral assets.
West African Resources has described the engagement as constructive, noting that discussions have taken into account the interests of shareholders and financiers. The company added that development and operational activities at Kiaka, as well as at its other assets including Sanbrado and Toega, have continued uninterrupted throughout the negotiation process.
The equity push forms part of Burkina Faso’s wider strategy to increase domestic participation in its mining sector while preserving investor confidence. Analysts say the peaceful progression of talks reflects an effort by authorities to balance resource nationalism with the need to maintain stable partnerships in one of West Africa’s most significant gold-producing economies.
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