The Challenges of Traditional and Artisanal Mining in Burkina Faso: Children Labor and Environmental Protection

This publication aims to address issues such as health, safety and artisanal mining in the province of Zoundweogo in south-central Burkina Faso. It focuses particularly on the case study of the county of Gogo in Burkina Faso(West Africa). One of its goals is the understanding of the situation that life operators and people on this site. It suggests a strategy that can contribute to a better practice of this activity in compliance to the standards of the International Labor Organization (ILO) regarding hygiene, safety and occupational health. Data were collected from 54 individuals divided into three categories: 10 children, 10 women and 34 men. Thus, the study revealed that working conditions are very poor and often very dangerous with a population consisting mainly of children. Moreover, it is fitting to note the reasons of children presence in a career. In a word, it proposes to improve the management of artisanal miners operating on the site through a contractor-trader based on the model of contract outsourcing and supervise the craft in the methods of operation, safety and health.