Pissy granite quarry in Ouagadougou officially closes

The artisanal granite quarry in the Pissy district of Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, officially closed on October 10, 2024. The site, located behind the Société nationale burkinabè d’hydrocarbures (SONABHY), had operated since the 1980s, evolving from a vacant lot into a massive open-pit crater several dozen meters deep.

For decades, the quarry served as a vital economic enclave, providing low-cost materials for construction projects, roads, and buildings throughout the capital. It supported the livelihoods of thousands of workers, including quarrymen, resellers, and transporters.

However, the informal operation caused significant environmental and health issues. The use of burning tires to crack granite blocks produced black smoke and acrid odors, while constant dust and debris contributed to respiratory and skin diseases among the local population. The closure marks the end of a period characterized by both economic survival and severe environmental degradation.