Late last year, our Essakane mine welcomed a group of students from the Higher School of Engineering at Abdoulaye Toguyeni University for an immersive visit. The initiative aimed to provide exposure to real-world mining operations and share practical knowledge with future professionals in Burkina Faso.
Exploring the Mining Lifecycle
Over three days, the students—geology and mining engineering majors among others—had the opportunity to experience the full scope of operations in an open-pit mine. Their tour spanned from the mine to the plant, covering key departments such as:
This experience offered a closer look at how different functions work together to support responsible and efficient operations.
The main activity of the visit was an academic seminar led by Bruno Lemelin, Chief Operating Officer, at Essakane’s on-site training center. The session focused on “Mineral Economics and General Aspects of the Gold Market” and included practical guidance on evaluating mining projects.
“Sharing our expertise is part of how we invest in the next generation and turn classroom concepts into lived experience. Seeing how geology, engineering and operations align on the ground helps spark curiosity and, we hope, encourages future professionals to pursue careers in our industry,” said Bruno Lemelin, COO.
This initiative is part of our broader efforts to support education and skills development in the communities where we operate.