Security forces in Burkina Faso sealed off an Avesoro gold mine after a security guard killed an intruder and local people attacked the site in retaliation, security sources said.
The Youga gold mine, in the south of the country, was shut down following the incident, three employees told Reuters. Local and foreign staff fled the site.
“A security guard at Youga mine opened fire on an outsider, killing him. Following this, the population retaliated, injuring several people and causing significant material damage,” a government statement said.
Mine owner Avesoro Resources said an armed group of artisanal miners attacked the site adding mining and processing were not interrupted.
It did not mention the man killed. The victim was an artisanal gold miner from a nearby village, two workers at Avesoro mine told Reuters, declining to be named for fear of reprisal. The shooting prompted residents to burn buildings and vehicles injuring an unknown number of people.
No personnel were seriously injured and material damage was superficial, the company said in its statement.
Witnesses interviewed said mining operations halted because workers fled and did not return.
