Essakane was recognized with four awards at the 8th edition of the West Africa Mining Activities Week (SAMAO), held in Ouagadougou from September 14 to 19. The event brought together industry leaders, partners, suppliers, students and government representatives from across the region.

During the closing gala on September 18, organizations and individuals who have made significant contributions to the mining sector were recognized for their achievements. Essakane received four distinctions, including:

In addition, our team earned the Gold Sponsor Award, the highest recognition in the sponsor category, and was named Best Exhibitor in the Mining, Energy, Quarries and Hydrocarbons category for the originality of our booth and the quality of the visitor experience.

Throughout the week, Essakane welcomed visitors to IAMGOLD's booth, which celebrated the cultural heritage of the Sahel while fostering dialogue with industry stakeholders. Guests enjoyed a traditional tea ceremony and local specialties, including green tea, kilishi and dates. Featuring local materials and cultural elements, the booth highlighted both the richness of the Sahel and Essakane's role in Burkina Faso's mining sector.

During the event, Renaud Adams, President and CEO, and Bruno Lemelin, COO, visited the booth alongside Tidiane Barry, Essakane's General Manager, and other members of the Executive Leadership Team. The group also met with Tina Guthrie, Canada's Ambassador to Burkina Faso, to discuss the future of mining and opportunities for continued collaboration in the region.

"These awards reflect the dedication and professionalism of our employees and the positive impact that can be achieved when talented teams work together toward a shared purpose. I am proud of what the Essakane team has accomplished and grateful to SAMAO for this recognition. This reinforces our commitment to responsible mining and to creating lasting value for Burkina Faso and its communities,” said Renaud Adam, President & CEO.

Kudos to everyone whose efforts contributed to these recognitions and helped make SAMAO 2026 a memorable week of engagement, collaboration and industry exchange.