Burkina Faso expects 45 tons of gold production in 2017

OUAGADOUGOU: Burkina Faso's gold production is expected to reach 45 tons in 2017, Prime Minister Paul Kaba Thieba told Parliament on Friday.

"Mining activities should see substantial growth to reach 45 tons of gold production," said the prime minister.

The increase can be achieved as two new mines will start production and will bring the total of operational mines to 10 in the West African country, he said.

The prime minister said zinc production is expected to remain at its historical level of 130,000 tons.

Revenues from mining operations hit 189.9 billion CFA Francs (307 million US dollars) in 2016, a 12.8 percent increase from the previous year. Burkina Faso has set incentive measures to attract more investment in its mining sector.