Burkina Faso officially inaugurated its first national gold refinery, Raffinor-BF, on Monday, September 28, 2026, in Ouagadougou. This facility, operated by the state-owned SONASP (formerly Raffinor), represents a significant step in the country's strategy to capture more value from its gold production rather than exporting raw materials. The project, which cost an estimated 7 billion CFA francs (approximately $12 million) excluding land value, was initially launched in November 2023.
The Raffinor-BF refinery is designed to process up to 164 tonnes of gold per year in its initial phase, with plans for an expansion to reach 500 to 515 tonnes annually. It aims to produce gold with a purity of 99.99 percent, meeting international Good Delivery standards. The complex, located on a five-hectare site in Ouaga 2000, includes a smelter, a high-tech analytical laboratory, secure storage facilities, and an integrated jewelry workshop. It will also provide export support services and house the headquarters of the National Precious Substances Company.
A primary challenge for the refinery will be securing sufficient feedstock. Burkina Faso produced over 94 tonnes of gold in 2025, including nearly 43 tonnes from artisanal mining. New regulations, including the 2024 Mining Code and a 2025 decree, mandate that industrial mining permit holders process a portion of their doré bullion domestically. The government will need to establish conditions for mining companies to supply the refinery while ensuring commercial viability. Imports could also supplement domestic supplies.
The inauguration reflects Burkina Faso's broader effort to assert greater state control over its gold industry and reduce reliance on overseas processing. The commercial success of Raffinor-BF will depend on its ability to maintain a consistent flow of material, drawing from both industrial and artisanal mines through state-managed channels, potentially supported by high international gold prices and regional supplies.
This initiative comes amidst a context of significant reforms in Burkina Faso's mining sector, including the creation of national mining companies and a new mining code. Other West African nations, such as Guinea with its Nimba Gold Refinery (aiming for over 500 tonnes annually), are also pursuing domestic gold refining to increase value retention from their mineral resources.
