Bissa provides community training in beekeeping

29 September 2022

Nordgold Group («Nordgold» or the «Company»), an internationally diversified gold producer, is pleased to announce that its Bissa mine in Burkina Faso has arranged intensive training in apiculture for two local communities — in Mane, Sanmatenga province, and in Sabcé, Bam province.

This recurring project supports the communities by building their professional capacity and helps to preserve the region’s biodiversity.

«Bees are among the most important plant pollinators. They support agriculture and help conserve biodiversity. They also make a significant contribution to mitigating climate change. In the long term, protecting bees and the beekeeping sector can help to improve food security, decrease the related risk of famine, and maintain a healthy environment and biodiversity.»

Aleksei GusevNordgold’s head ecologist

The training took place in the local Mooré language and consisted of theoretical (20%) and practical (80%) instruction. The participants were introduced to beekeeping and the production of honey using a range of modern techniques. Participants were given all the necessary equipment and materials to set up beekeeping units, having learnt how to manage them and protect the environment.

The 30-day course for the commune of Mané was led by Continium Mining & BTP Training Center. 30 people from the community took part in the training. The seven-day course in Sabcé was designed by Baobab Consulting and welcomed 14 participants.

In 2021, the Bissa mine trained and equipped 40 beekeepers, enabling Sabcé to produce 1,200kg of high quality honey.

«With zero technical and professional level at the beginning of the training, today we are able to join the market. This training opens up new opportunities for me.»

Pierre N. OuedraogoOne of the trainees in Mané

«This initiative of the mine in capacity building and improving the living conditions of the population is highly appreciated. We believe that all participants have now acquired the necessary skills to practice the profession independently and that this will contribute to their financial well-being.»

Lannoaga SawadogoA trainer at CMTC-SARL

«The ecological conscience of the trainees has also increased. They have become aware of the importance of bees in the ecosystem, as well as of the role they play in the environment and biodiversity preservation.»

Maxime CompaoreA trainer at Baobab Consulting

Enquiries

About Bissa-Bouly

The Bissa and Bouly mines in Burkina Faso are operated by Nordgold and jointly owned with the government of Burkina Faso, which has a 10% interest. Nordgold has invested over US$1.3 billion in Burkina Faso and become one of the largest gold miners operating in the country. Since 2009, the Company has contributed over US$500 million to the government in the form of taxes and royalties. Bissa-Bouly supports more than 1,300 jobs. The Company’s community initiatives in Burkina Faso include the construction of new quality homes for local communities and considerable investment in new infrastructure projects — including roads, schools, and health centres — as well as investment in agriculture and livestock and supporting the development of small businesses.

About Nordgold

Nordgold is an internationally diversified one million ounce gold producer with over 8,000 employees and a portfolio of eight mines — in Burkina Faso, Guinea, Russia, and Kazakhstan — as well as a number of development and exploration projects in West Africa, Eurasia, and North America. Since its foundation in 2007, Nordgold has established a global reputation as a leading developer of tier-one gold-mining assets, with a proven commitment to community engagement, sustainability, efficiency, and operating in an environmentally responsible manner. Since 2013, Nordgold has successfully constructed three gold mines, including two in Burkina Faso (Bouly and Bissa) and, most recently, the Gross mine in Russia.