The Head of State has pledged that from now on, all mining activities in Burundi will be conducted transparently—both in extraction and in commercialization.
On October 17, 2025, during an interview with the press at the Gatwaro mining site in Kirundo commune, Butanyerera province, following a series of visits to various mining sites in the area, His Excellency President Évariste Ndayishimiye announced that mineral extraction and trade in Burundi will henceforth be carried out with full transparency.
President Ndayishimiye emphasized that Burundi possesses an exceptionally rich and diverse subsoil. According to him, the presence of minerals near the surface indicates that deeper underground, there are likely even larger deposits—although comprehensive geological studies have yet to be conducted.
Currently, he noted, mining operations are still conducted in an artisanal manner due to the lack of modern equipment. However, he described this as a transitional phase meant to generate the necessary capital to acquire efficient machinery and move toward large-scale exploitation, followed by local mineral processing.
The Head of State reaffirmed that all mining activities will now be managed transparently at every stage—from extraction to commercialization.
Recalling that the subsoil belongs to the State, President Ndayishimiye urged citizens to report any newly discovered deposits unknown to the authorities, in order to ensure regulated exploitation. He also stated that landowners whose properties contain mineral resources will be fairly compensated in accordance with the law.
The President further stressed that any individual or company seeking a mining permit must register with the relevant authorities and sign a win-win contract with the government. He clarified that holders of expired or non-renewed contracts are no longer recognized by the State.
Before the interview, President Ndayishimiye had visited several mining sites in Kirundo commune, including Rugero, Shinge, Busenyi, and Gatwaro, where he encouraged young people to become more involved in the mining sector—a key driver of Burundi’s national economy.
