In its mission to support and promote good practices in the artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) sub-sector, the Alliance for Responsible Mining (ARM) organized from May 10 to 14, 2022 in Gaoua ( South-West region), a series of awareness-raising and capacity-building activities for artisanal mining groups benefiting from the Sanu Kura project.

 

 

ARM has been implementing the Sanu Kura project since 2019, a project to support the implementation of a responsible and legal artisanal mining activity. Funded by the Commission of the European Union, the objective of the Sanu Kura project is to increase the contribution of ASM to the human and local development of Burkina, via legal and viable production and marketing channels through (i ) the gradual formalization of the artisanal gold mining sector contributing to the reduction of negative environmental and social impacts and (ii) the creation of economic opportunities in the ASM sector through connection to the formal market on the basis of responsible production models.

In this perspective, the city of Gaoua hosted from May 10 to 14, 2022 various awareness and training activities for the benefit of artisanal mining groups, but also with regard to and with the participation of several technical partners.

On the program of these days of activities:

  • First aid training;
  • The holding of the 6th local dialogue platform of the South-West region, coupled with a communication from the National Agency for the Supervision of Artisanal and Semi-Mechanized Mining Operations (ANEEMAS) on the regulatory framework of the MAPE in Burkina;
  • Provision of individual and collective protective equipment accompanied by awareness-raising on their importance and use;
  • Accompaniment of fifteen (15) mining artisans in income-generating activities.

In view of the ASM environment and the multiple risks to which artisanal miners are exposed on a daily basis, first aid training has become an essential part of the schedule of activities. A total of ten mining artisans (women and men) have been trained in this way. Delivered by the Burkinabe Red Cross, this training helped teach beneficiaries the right reflexes to help save lives. For 3 days, several gestures were thus presented and practiced through scenarios.

The 6th session of the local dialogue platform brought together a diversity of actors around the theme related to the use of mercury in the MAPE. According to the Governor of the South-West region, ” this workshop also offers an opportunity for all stakeholders, particularly artisanal miners, to strengthen their knowledge of the risks associated with the use of mercury in the processing of ore and learn about the mercury-free treatment techniques promoted by ARM”.

“The Alliance for Responsible Mining works to support the government’s desire to formalize the artisanal and small-scale mining sub-sector through the implementation on the ground of activities support for formalization, promotion of technical and technological alternatives as well as awareness-raising and capacity building as is the case today. All this in a participatory and inclusive approach with the first administrative and customary authorities of the areas concerned and the decentralized technical services ”.

Désiré Nikiema

National Coordinator ARM Africa

Like the other groups on the beneficiary sites of the Sanu Kura project, the Djikando mining group benefited from an allocation of individual and collective protective equipment (helmets, protective glasses, earplugs, gloves, boots, and ‘A first-aid kit.

“ This action towards us really touches us and we find it very beneficial. It is important to remember that our health is essential and that we must preserve it. This equipment will be used wisely and I take this opportunity to remind the artisanal miners present here of the need for their use  ,” suggested Mr. Kombary Raphaël, a site manager.

In addition to these activities, ARM also donated poultry and small ruminants to 15 women. This initiative is part of the project to strengthen the economic resilience of artisanal mining communities. It follows several other training courses that have helped to build the capacity of more than 450 artisanal miners (women and men) on savings, credit, and the prerequisites for applying for credit.

All of these activities started in the South-West region, but will also be implemented in the Center-West and Center-North regions.

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