Artisanal and Small Scale Gold Mining and Conflict Management in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger

Abdoul Aziz Idrissa, Ministry of Mines (Niger)

Artisanal and small-scale mining is an essential component of West African economies. Millions of people within the region depend on it, either directly or indirectly, for their livelihoods, and it is responsible for a significant proportion of the region’s mineral and metal production. Unfortunately, the discovery and subsequent gold rush coincided with a rise in religious extremism, conflict, and crime in the Sahel, particularly in the three countries that make up the Liptako-Gourma region: Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali. Illegal activities, including armed violence, terrorism, and organized crime, have exacerbated governance problems in parts of the three countries. It is important to bring innovative solutions to the governments of Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso in their efforts to restore stability, protect their citizens and the environment, formalize ASGM operations, reduce corruption, and increase tax revenues to the sector.