Bam: The High Commissioner of Bam, Karim Ouedraogo, reassured the population last Friday that the Bissa Gold expansion project in Siera will be carried out in full transparency, in compliance with the texts, the general interest, and the protection of the communities. Residents of the village of Bissa met with the High Commissioner in Sabce to express their concerns about the project, which covers nearly 600 hectares, 500 of which are land farmed by the inhabitants.

According to Burkina Information Agency, spokesperson Ousseni Ouedraogo, representing the Bissa community, presented a memorandum requesting the suspension of all expropriation proceedings until legal guarantees protecting community rights are established. The residents also demanded that the mining company revise its expansion plan in accordance with the mining code and social and environmental standards.

Additionally, the community voiced the need for access to the study that led to selecting Siera as the expansion zone. They called for guarantees on socio-economic infrastructure, security measures, and developed, functional, and usable areas should land be released. Furthermore, they sought the allocation of new agricultural land to compensate for any land requisitioned by the mine.

Mr. Ouedraogo emphasized that the Bissa community is not opposed to development projects, including Bissa Gold. However, he stressed the importance of ensuring the rights of the local population are respected. Participant Wahabo Ouedraogo highlighted past challenges with the mining company, expressing the need for the company to honor its commitments and stating the community's willingness to coexist peacefully.

High Commissioner Karim Ouedraogo praised the community's approach, describing it as responsible and in line with republican principles. He assured that the administration is committed to safeguarding both public interest and community protection, urging trust in the legal process. He emphasized that the process would be conducted lawfully and transparently, involving collaboration between the communities, the administration, and the mine.

As a reminder, the people of Bissa previously rejected attempts to expropriate their lands in Siera during a general assembly on November 8.