Burkina Faso sits in the heart of West Africa and has a long history of both artisanal and industrial mining. From informal pits to larger concessions, mineral resources shape local livelihoods and national trade while spreading across diverse geological zones.
There are 11 Minerals in Burkina Faso, ranging from Clay/Kaolin to Zinc. For each entry, the information is organized by Production status, Main regions/mines, and Uses — you’ll find below.
Which minerals drive Burkina Faso’s mining economy and exports?
Gold is by far the dominant contributor to export earnings and employment, supported by numerous artisanal and industrial operations; other commercially important minerals include manganese, zinc and phosphate, while materials like kaolin, limestone and salt serve domestic industries and construction.
How can I verify current production status and mine locations for these minerals?
Check official sources such as the Burkina Faso Ministry of Mines, national geological survey reports, and company disclosures for recent production figures and license maps; supplement those with reputable industry reports and local news because production status can change quickly due to market shifts or regulatory updates.
Minerals in Burkina Faso
| Mineral | Production status | Main regions/mines | Uses |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gold | produced | Essakane; Bissa; Houndé; Bomboré; Taparko; Karma | Precious metal, investment, jewelry, electronics |
| Zinc | produced | Perkoa mine | Galvanizing, alloys, batteries, construction materials |
| Lead | produced (by-product) | Perkoa mine | Batteries, alloys, radiation shielding |
| Manganese | under exploration | Tambao deposit (far north) | Steelmaking, alloys, batteries, chemicals |
| Limestone | produced | Nationwide quarries; cement plants near Ouagadougou and Banfora | Cement, construction, lime, agriculture |
| Gypsum | produced | Quarries near Ouagadougou and western provinces | Plaster, cement additive, construction boards |
| Clay/Kaolin | produced/artisanal | Southern and central regions; deposits near Banfora | Ceramics, bricks, paper, paints, fillers |
| Construction aggregates (sand, gravel, stone) | produced | Nationwide (riverbeds, quarries) | Roads, concrete, building foundations |
| Gemstones (garnet, tourmaline, aquamarine) | artisanal/produced | Pegmatite districts near Houndé, Gaoua, Banfora | Jewelry, abrasives (industrial garnet) |
| Silver | produced (by-product) | Gold mines (Essakane, Bissa, others) | Jewelry, electronics, industrial uses |
| Salt | artisanal | Sahelian salt pans and shallow wells (northern regions) | Food, livestock, preservation |
Images and Descriptions
Gold
Gold is Burkina Faso’s dominant mineral export, mined at large-scale operations and by artisanal diggers. Major mines like Essakane, Bissa and Houndé drive employment and export revenues; gold remains central to the mining sector.
Zinc
Zinc is produced at the Perkoa mine, yielding concentrates for export. It is Burkina Faso’s primary base-metal operation outside gold, supporting local jobs and supplying global markets for galvanizing and alloy production.
Lead
Lead is recovered mainly as a by-product at Perkoa’s zinc operations. Volumes are modest but used in battery manufacture and metal alloys; lead output supplements export revenues and regional metal supply chains.
Manganese
The Tambao deposit in the far north hosts high-grade manganese. Long a focus of exploration and development planning, Tambao could become a significant export for steel and chemical industries if infrastructure and investment are secured.
Limestone
Widespread limestone quarries supply Burkina’s cement plants and construction sector. Limestone is essential for concrete, lime production and roadworks, supporting infrastructure growth and reducing reliance on imports for basic building materials.
Gypsum
Gypsum is quarried for plaster, drywall and as a cement additive. Local gypsum supports construction and building-material industries, typically produced at small to medium quarries serving regional demand.
Clay/Kaolin
Kaolin and various clays are mined for ceramics, brickmaking and paper/coatings. Artisanal and industrial extraction supports traditional pottery, construction materials and some industrial uses, with local and small-scale commercial markets.
Construction aggregates (sand, gravel, stone)
Sand, gravel and crushed stone are quarried across the country for road construction, concrete and building projects. Aggregates are the backbone of domestic construction activity and are typically produced by local firms and small quarries.
Gemstones (garnet, tourmaline, aquamarine)
Semi-precious gems such as garnet, tourmaline and aquamarine are recovered from pegmatites by artisanal miners. Garnet also has industrial abrasive uses; gemstone mining is small-scale but supports local incomes and niche exports.
Silver
Silver is commonly recovered as a by-product of gold processing at Burkina’s gold mines. Quantities are smaller than gold but add value to concentrate exports and supply domestic silver uses in jewelry and industry.
Salt
Traditional salt pans and shallow wells in Sahelian areas produce salt for local consumption and livestock. Production is artisanal and community-focused, supplying regional markets rather than large-scale industrial export.
