Tenkodogo:The National Society of Precious Substances (SONASP) has inaugurated a new gold buying office in Tenkodogo, situated in the Nakambé region. This initiative aims to streamline the marketing of gold production, enhance traceability, and promote the formalization of the gold sector.
According to Burkina Information Agency, the opening ceremony was attended by administrative and traditional authorities, decentralized technical services, and key stakeholders in the gold sector. This development is part of SONASP's ongoing strategy to decentralize purchasing points, which began in 2024.
During the ceremony, Sougrinoma Basile Zongo, Director General of SONASP, emphasized the goal of better organizing gold marketing in Burkina Faso. He noted the challenge of a portion of gold production bypassing official channels, affecting producers, local communities, and the national economy. The new service offers a secure framework for artisanal miners and other stakeholders to sell their gold in compliance with regulations, facilitating the issuance of artisanal miner cards and formalizing activities.
Bonaventure M. Somda, Marketing and Customer Director, stated that the Tenkodogo branch is the fourth SONASP purchasing point nationwide. The aim is to bring services closer to producers and collectors, reducing the need for long-distance travel to sell their production. Services include the purchase of precious metals and issuance of mining permits, promoting legal operations and better sector organization.
The Nakambé region is noted for its significant mining sites, and SONASP encourages channeling production through official channels to promote transparency, traceability, and fraud prevention. Masmoudou Sawadogo, president of the National Union of Artisanal Miners of Burkina Faso, highlighted the fulfillment of long-standing expectations for both miners and buyers, emphasizing the reduced travel risks and facilitation of exchanges.
Sami Bérenger Pooda, president of the special delegation in Tenkodogo, welcomed the new service point as a vital resource for those involved in gold mining activities. He pledged municipal support for a secure environment conducive to the facility's operation and encouraged stakeholders to protect and utilize the resource.
The ceremony included presenting certificates to gold sellers from three regions, a premises tour, and a demonstration of the sales procedure. SONASP aims to foster cooperation with stakeholders in the Nakambé region's gold mining sector, striving for more formal and regulated gold marketing.