IAMGOLD : supports local sesame farmers in Burkina Faso

IAMGOLD supports local sesame farmers in Burkina Faso

At IAMGOLD, we believe that our presence should have a positive impact on our host communities, wherever we operate. Through our comprehensive community development program, we implement a variety of initiatives that bring tangible benefits to our local partners beyond what our core mining activities already bring. From fostering economic growth and providing access to basic infrastructure to local populations to supporting public health and investing in education, sport and culture, our wide-ranging initiatives bring long-lasting benefits.

Since 2017, our community development team at our Essakane mine in Burkina Faso has been collaborating with agricultural partners to increase the income of local populations by providing farming opportunities. In 2021, the initiative focused on sesame culture and supported a total of 266 farmers organized in local cooperatives. The yearly harvest, which was extremely successful, yielded a total of 54 tons of sesame seeds, which represents 4.2% of the Sahel region's total production for the year. In addition to sesame, IAMGOLD also supports the cultures of potato and rice as well as fruit and vegetables.

We are very proud of the work of our staff on the ground. This initiative not only provides additional employment opportunities to local communities that will last well beyond our mine's life but also addresses the crucial issues of food scarcity and food autonomy. Programs like these are not only essential to sustainable community development, they are also imperative to maintain our social license to operate.