Illicit financial flows and conflict in artisanal and small scale gold mining: Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger

Artisanal and small-scale mining is an essential component of West African economies. Millions of people within the region depend on it, either directly or indirectly, for their livelihoods, and it is responsible for a significant proportion of the region’s mineral and metal production. When effectively governed and supported, the sector offers an excellent opportunity to advance national and regional sustainable development goals, including through the mobilization of national revenues and the creation of employment for the most vulnerable. This report presents an analysis of the context of artisanal mining in border areas currently plagued by violence and conflict. The analysis focused on three key areas: The current regional and national governance frameworks for artisanal and small-scale gold mining. Illicit financial flows associated with the sector. It also studies the link between conflict, crime and artisanal gold mining. Finally offers recommendations to the governments of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger on how they can strengthen their response to the threat of illicit financial flows, conflict and crime associated with artisanal and small-scale gold mining.