started · updated
Burkina Faso inaugurates first national gold refinery RAFFINOR-BF
Burkina Faso President Ibrahim Traoré inaugurated RAFFINOR-BF, the nation’s first gold refinery, in Ouagadougou on September 28, 2026. The facility is part of a strategic effort to achieve economic sovereignty by processing mineral resources domestically rather than exporting raw doré gold.
The refinery represents an investment of over 11 billion CFA francs, funded by the state through the National Precious Substances Company (SONASP) in partnership with domestic private investors. In its initial phase, the plant has a processing capacity of 164 to 167 tonnes of gold per year, with plans to expand to 515 tonnes in a second phase.
The facility is designed to produce gold bars with a purity of up to 99.99 percent. Beyond industrial processing, the project is expected to create approximately 100 direct jobs and 5,000 indirect jobs. Officials noted that the refinery will allow the country to better control the gold value chain, including refining, assaying, and certification.
Entities
Adama Sawadogo · Burkina Faso · Ibrahim Traoré · Marena Gold · Ouagadougou · RAFFINOR-BF · SONASP · Yacouba Zabré Gouba
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 20 SOURCES] The refinery capacity is projected to reach 515 tonnes per year in a second phase. eveildesnations.info · gouvernement.gov.bf · www.kaweru.com · www.latribunedufaso.net · lomeexpress.com · +13 more
- [● 22 SOURCES] The refinery has an initial annual capacity of 164 to 167 tonnes of gold. eveildesnations.info · gouvernement.gov.bf · www.kaweru.com · www.latribunedufaso.net · lomeexpress.com · +15 more
- [● 18 SOURCES] The project was funded by the state through the National Precious Substances Company (SONASP) and private partners. gouvernement.gov.bf · www.kaweru.com · www.latribunedufaso.net · lomeexpress.com · mznews.co.mz · +11 more
- [● 19 SOURCES] The government aims to process all metals locally to control the entire value chain. eveildesnations.info · gouvernement.gov.bf · www.kaweru.com · www.latribunedufaso.net · lomeexpress.com · +12 more
- [● 4 SOURCES] Burkina Faso produced more than 94 tonnes of gold in 2025. www.informateur.ci · gabonactu.com · newscentraltv.com · westafricaweekly.com
- [● 21 SOURCES] The RAFFINOR-BF refinery project cost more than 11 billion CFA francs. eveildesnations.info · gouvernement.gov.bf · www.kaweru.com · www.latribunedufaso.net · lomeexpress.com · +14 more
- [● 8 SOURCES] The refinery will produce gold with a purity level of up to 99.99 percent. www.informateur.ci · lomeexpress.com · radiogeneration.co.ke · sahelmatin.com · chambredesmines.bf · +2 more
- [● 4 SOURCES] The refinery is expected to create 100 direct jobs and 5,000 indirect jobs. radiogeneration.co.ke · gabonactu.com · www.sidwaya.info · rstp.st
- [● 9 SOURCES] President Ibrahim Traoré stated the goal is to refine all metals locally to maintain the entire value chain within the country. gouvernement.gov.bf · www.kaweru.com · www.latribunedufaso.net · lomeexpress.com · mznews.co.mz · +3 more
- [● 18 SOURCES] The RAFFINOR-BF refinery was inaugurated in Ouagadougou on September 28, 2026. afriveille.com · eveildesnations.info · gouvernement.gov.bf · www.informateur.ci · www.kaweru.com · +11 more