Bam: Citizen watchdog organizations from Kongoussi and Sabce demonstrated Thursday in Imiougou against the mining company Bissa Gold. They accuse three officials of stirring up a dispute over reforestation at a mine tailings site and are demanding their replacement.

According to Burkina Information Agency, community leaders claim the mine mobilized young people from Sabce to reforest the Imiougou tailings, despite the refusal of the local residents, who instead requested a laterite supply. This decision reportedly led the elders of Imiougou to invoke fetishes (Tinse in Moore) against those who carried out the reforestation.

The village chief of Imiougou, a former mine worker, expressed concern over the lack of dialogue. "We are demonstrating because we know that President Ibrahim Traore is a man of virtue and that he will listen to us," he stated.

Bam's citizen watch leader, Noufou Sawadogo, also known as Naf Naf, warned that the situation could threaten cohesion between villages. The protesters are demanding the departure of three mine officials.

Bissa Gold expressed surprise at this protest, stating that it has always involved communities in rehabilitation activities. "As part of the rehabilitation of our TSF, we decided to plant trees, always involving the affected communities. Some did not agree, and we worked with those who did. We are therefore surprised by this demonstration, which also calls for the departure of certain officials," explained a mine representative.

As a reminder, tailings (or mining residue) refer to waste from ore processing, consisting of water, rock particles, and chemical reagents. Both management options-reforestation or clay cover-are considered appropriate by experts.