GAOUA — Artio Hien took office as the first Regional Director of Energy, Mines, and Quarries (DR/EMC) in South-West Burkina Faso, marking a significant development in a region primarily known for its gold panning and artisanal mining activities.

According to Burkina Information Agency, Hien, a geology and mining engineer, was officially installed on Thursday, April 18, 2024, by Governor Boureima Savadogo. The ceremony, held in Gaoua, also included the presence of Doulaye Sanou, the Secretary General of the Ministry of Mines. Hien’s appointment, effective as of February 7, 2024, is seen as a pivotal step in addressing the challenges and opportunities within the mining sector of the region.

The Secretary General emphasized that gold panning is the most common mining operation in the area, but noted issues such as low formalization of participants and the artisanal nature of many mining sites. He urged the new director to strictly enforce mining regulations and work towards better organization of the gold panning and artisanal mining operations.

Governor Savadogo highlighted the significant mining potential of the South-West region, which has led to numerous incidents related to gold panning. He expressed optimism that the appointment of a dedicated regional director would bring much-needed oversight and development to the sector.

In his acceptance speech, Hien thanked the national authorities and pledged to address the local public service needs expressed by the community and industry stakeholders. He also committed to improving administrative processes for the swift handling of related documentation.