Réo, A training workshop on the Minamata convention, health and safety at work was held in Réo, on October 26 and 27, 2023, under the chairmanship of the High Commissioner of the Sanguié province, Talari Germaine Ouoba, for the benefit of those involved in the gold production chain.
The actors in the artisanal gold production chain, namely site managers, community leaders, gold miners, count in the eyes of the administration. Those from the Sanguié province benefited from a training workshop aimed at promoting responsible gold exploitation in artisanal and small-scale mining sites so that they benefit from better services and working conditions.
Anything that can allow them to contribute to local development and commit to reducing the negative effects of the sector.
Indeed, suggested the High Commissioner, Talari Germaine Ouoba, artisanal and small-scale gold mining has become a major economic component in the rural areas of Burkina Faso where it offers more than 2.5 million people including women and children, an important source of income for them and for the entire country.
However, she continued, it is clear that current exploitation poses serious challenges in terms of security, respect for human rights, social problems, as well as environmental and health degradation. workers.
According to Ms. Ouoba, poor ore extraction and processing practices, the use of explosives and prohibited chemicals such as cyanide and mercury have become widespread throughout the territory, hence the importance of taking measures to protect human health and the environment.
Also, she urged the participants to be diligent and attentive to the modules that will be presented to them but also to active participation and frank exchanges so that at the end of the session, they are better experienced mining players on the measures to protect their health and preserve the environment.
As for the country representative of the NGO Artisanal Gold Council, Seydou Kabré, he reassured that painstaking work will be done to ensure that the objectives pursued are achieved. Which explains, according to him, the holding of this workshop, which precedes a precise action plan (HSST) aimed at preventing work accidents and occupational illnesses.
Therefore, a certain number of modules were served to the participants. These include “good personal protection practices on mining sites”, “health and environmental risks linked to the use of mercury and the precautions to take”, “Rescue and first aid”, “health and safety at work”. in artisanal and small-scale mining.
Source: Burkina Information Agency