Tenkodogo: Bissa Gold SA handed over 400 tonnes of corn on Monday in Sabce to the landowners of Ronghin, expropriated as part of the expansion of the Ronghin gold project. The beneficiaries are mainly from Sabce, Ronghin, Boussouma and all those who have agricultural land in the project area. This donation operation aims to compensate households that were unable to produce during the 2025 agricultural season, due to the unavailability of their land now integrated into the mine's intervention zone.

According to Burkina Information Agency, Rasmane Ouedraogo, the community relations representative for Bissa Gold, stated that 266 hectares are affected by the project's activities. This situation has prevented landowners from carrying out their usual agricultural activities. "We asked them not to cultivate this year because the project is well underway. And since they haven't produced anything, we decided to offer them one ton of corn per hectare affected, pending their final compensation," he explained. He added that the surplus of more than 130 tons represents an additional gesture from the company to encourage the cooperation of the local communities.

Among the beneficiaries, Kouka Ouedraogo expressed his satisfaction with the food aid. For him, this donation marks the beginning of a climate of trust between the mine and the affected communities. 'The mine asked us not to farm, and we obeyed. Now, they are thinking of us by giving us food to compensate for our lost income. We thank them for this compassion,' he said.

The High Commissioner of Bam Province, Karim Ouedraogo, welcomed Bissa Gold's initiative, describing it as a gesture of appeasement and social responsibility. He encouraged both parties-the mining company and the local communities-to continue prioritizing dialogue, consultation, and patience in order to maintain a climate of lasting cooperation. He also urged the beneficiaries to use the maize wisely to avoid food insecurity before the next growing season.

As a reminder, the Ronghin project was authorized by the Burkinabe government. It aims to expand the facilities of Bissa Gold, a subsidiary of the Russian group Nordgold, which is already active in the municipality of Sabce. This expansion involves the reclamation of agricultural land, with compensation and support mechanisms in place.