Artisanal Gold Miners

Area of Expertise

  • Human safety and emergency response

Means of Action

  • Development
Country Country

Burkina Faso: The Boucle du Mouhoun, Cascades, Hauts-Bassins and Sud-Ouest health regions

Length Length

June 2012 to May 2013

Beneficiaries Beneficiaries

38,800 people

Partners Partners

- 4 regional health departments
- 14 health districts
- 14 gold washing offices Local committees to combat HIV
- 7 community-based organizations

Budget Budget

$170,000 Multiple donors through the Secrétariat Permanent du Conseil National de Lutte contre le Sida (SP/CLNS)

Artisanal Gold Miners © J-N Francois

Burkina Faso continues to face an HIV/AIDS epidemic, with a seroprevalence rate estimated at 1%. Certain regions and groups of people are affected more than others. The seroprevalence rate is higher among miner populations, who have little knowledge of the risks of HIV/AIDS transmission and are, therefore, at greater risk of infection. In addition, many of those working on gold mining sites are youth, who are not being adequately reached by awareness campaigns. 

CECI has set up a project targeting 14 gold mining sites and the surrounding villages. The goals are to reduce transmission of HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and to bolster prevention measures in these particularly vulnerable areas.

The results are telling:

  • Artisanal gold miners and neighbouring populations (some 38,000 people) have increased their knowledge and improved their attitudes and practices in the prevention of HIV/AIDS and STIs.
  • Male and female condom use has increased throughout the 14 sites, with the purchase and distribution of 35,000 condoms.
  • Mobile teams are raising and maintaining awareness.
  • Screening services are available on each of the 14 sites.
  • Those who test positive for STIs receive notification and health training in keeping with the standards and protocols in effect.
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