This is why I am against the Guinea Project. Regardless what is...

This is why I am against the Guinea Project. Regardless what is being mined.

Fatalities’ in Burkina Faso mining attack

An attack on a Canadian mining convoy busing local employees and others to the Boungou goldmine in Burkina Faso has left several people dead, mine owner Semafo Inc said.

The five buses escorted by the military were approximately 40 kilometres from the mine when they were ambushed, resulting in “several fatalities and injuries,” the company said in a statement.

Few details were immediately available.

“We are actively working with all levels of authorities to ensure the on-going safety and security of our employees, contractorsand suppliers,” Semafo said, while offering condolences to the families of the victims.

The mine itself, it added, remains secured and its operations have not been affected.

Semafo operates two mines in the West African country, which is battling a jihadist revolt that has claimed hundreds of lives.

This was the third deadly attack suffered by Semafo in 15 months. Two others in August 2018 also targeted vehicles travelling to its mines, and a police vehicle was attacked on the same road between the city of Fada and the Bongou gold mine last December.

The company blamed “armed bandits” for last year’s attacks, and subsequently reinforced its armed escorts.