Ouagadougou: Women artisanal miners from Poura received equipment from the Artisanal Gold Council (AGC), on January 10, 2024, as part of its project 'Contribution to economic empowerment and the preservation of the health of one hundred (100 ) artisanal miners in the commune of Poura through the acquisition of gold processing equipment, training and the creation of two simplified cooperatives.'Large numbers of women miners in the commune of Poura now work in cooperatives. The initiative is from the Artisanal Gold Council which supports them within the Relwendé and Basse-Neré cooperative. These cooperatives bring together one hundred (100) women whose main activity is gold panning. Unfortunately, they work in very difficult conditions at the cost of their health to meet the needs of their families.To change the situation, the Artisanal Gold Council first grouped them into cooperatives and then trained them in better work skills before equipping them. It is in this context that he delivered concentrators fo r the processing of gold, and protective equipment. According to Saïdou Kabré, project coordinator, these machines will prevent them from working with mercury, will reduce their time and workload and will ensure profitability.Also, these concentrators are beneficial in that they allow 80% gold to be recovered without mercury. From then on, women will preserve their health and their environment, said Mr. Kabré.The project, in the opinion of those responsible, was possible thanks to the financial support of the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives. During the handover ceremony, the donors communicated by videoconference with the beneficiaries and felt their joy.The president of the Relwendé cooperative, Aminata Ouangrawa, expressed the gratitude of her sisters. Mrs. Ouangrawa greatly appreciated this donation. According to her, since their training and equipment, they work faster and preserve their health and that they could not hope for better.This donation also delighted the prefect, president of the spe cial Poura delegation, Moumouni Ouédraogo. Furthermore, he thanked the donors. According to the prefect, gold panning is the main economic activity in Poura. The sector employs a large number of people, including women. Thus, such support only relieves this hard-working target who fights as much as men for the well-being of the community, he said.Source: Burkina Information Agency
Menu