Burundi president Evariste Ndayishimiye visited the semi-mechanized gold industry of the “Dukorere Ahabona” Cooperative, located on Mageyo hill. PHOTO| Ntare House

President Evariste Ndayishimiye on Friday called for greater transparency and patriotism in Burundi’s mining industry, urging operators to comply fully with national laws as the government seeks to strengthen oversight and scale production of the country’s mineral resources.

Speaking at a Nov. 14 press conference, Ndayishimiye presented findings from a 100-day monitoring initiative he launched to scrutinize mining activities nationwide. He said the assessment shows strong potential for growth, with revenues from mining operations reaching $6.834 million during the period.

“The legal framework is clear,” Ndayishimiye said. “We need people who love their country; let those who exploit minerals do so in broad daylight, and let exports also be carried out transparently.”

According to the presidency, authorities have identified 29 mining sites, of which 13 are operational, and confirmed the presence of 27 different mineral types across Burundi. The president encouraged mining cooperatives to register formally so they can operate legally, and he urged extraction companies to invest in modern equipment to increase productivity.

As part of these reforms, Burundi on Friday carried out its third official export operation of minerals. A convoy of 15 trucks transported amethyst, titanium, beryllium and rare earths to international markets—resources the government considers strategic for boosting foreign-currency earnings.

Civil society watchdog PARCEM welcomed the government’s push for transparency but warned that the mining sector still faces major governance challenges. The organization has long argued that Burundi’s mining revenues remain far below potential due to opaque practices, weak oversight, and the absence of a long-term national strategy. PARCEM has repeatedly urged the state to adopt stronger transparency standards and align with international mechanisms such as the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) to ensure public accountability.

Ndayishimiye said the government aims not only to increase production but also to shift away from exporting raw minerals. “Burundi will not limit itself indefinitely to raw exports,” he said, adding that the country intends to develop local processing capabilities to capture more value from its mineral wealth.

The government maintains that the mining sector can become a significant driver of national development once operators comply with regulations, improve equipment and strengthen their operational capacity.

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