-Worth 37 million FCFA
-The municipalities in the impact zones concerned
On the Essakane mining site, this December 27, 2023, the gold mining company IAMGOLD Essakane SA let its heart speak. It offered food kits to 1,000 vulnerable households worth 37 million FCFA from thirteen villages in the mine impact zone and distributed between the communes of Falagountou and Gorom Gorom. Each food kit consists of a 50 kg bag of rice, a carton of spaghetti and a 5 liter can of oil.
The ceremony took place in the presence of the presidents of the village development committees (CVD) of the area concerned and members of the mine management team.
Frank Napon, Health and Safety Sustainable Development Director of the Essakane mine, indicated that this gesture is part of the company’s social responsibility. Mr. Napon officially handed over the food to the community representatives on behalf of the CEO of the mine Mr. Tidiane BARRY. “Beyond our mission to produce gold, we are committed to implementing social projects for our local communities. It is in view of the difficulties experienced by certain segments of the local host population that IAMGOLD Essakane SA undertook this donation of food kits to vulnerable communities,” Mr. Napon suggested.
The food provided by IAMGOLD ESSAKANE SA reinforces the efforts of the Burkinabe government and other goodwill in caring for vulnerable people. “This operation is a manifestation of solidarity from our mining company, always committed to supporting host communities,” continued the director in charge of sustainable development issues at IAMGOLD ESSAKANE SA.
The distribution of food constitutes an essential lever in the fight against precariousness
The beneficiaries expressed their gratitude through the presidents of the village development committees.
“A true end-of-year gift, this salutary gesture will bring relief to many poor families,” said Hamidou Amadou, a community leader. CVD officials thanked the Essakane gold mine for this demonstration of solidarity with them. “Vulnerable households are really happy to receive this food. A great Foofo (meri in the Fulani language) at IAMGOLD ESSAKANE SA who thought of its residents” declared a CVD president.
The collaboration between the Essakane company and local communities is cited as an example by all stakeholders. Franck Napon did not fail to welcome a fruitful partnership. He congratulated and encouraged the populations for the resilience they are showing in the context of the strong security challenge in the Sahel.
This donation is the Essakane mine’s contribution to the call for solidarity from the Head of State, Ibrahim TRAORE, who invited his fellow citizens to show their solidarity with vulnerable people in these difficult times they are going through.
Participants in the donation ceremony wished each other the best so that 2024 would be a year of peace and social cohesion. As a reminder, since 2009, IAMGOLD ESSAKANE SA has contributed several tens of billions of FCFA to support the development of its mining impact zone and by devoting itself to social sectors such as health, education, water and sanitation.
