Burkina Faso has inaugurated its first gold refinery as its military-led government seeks to strengthen economic sovereignty after breaking ties with its traditional Western partners.
“From now on, Burkina Faso’s gold must not only be mined in Burkina Faso; it must also be processed, controlled, valued and certified there,” President Ibrahim Traoré said on Monday at the inauguration of the refinery, named Raffinor-BF. Traoré has led the West African country since the 2022 military coup.
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