Burkina Faso
The government in Burkina Faso has granted a licence to a Russian mining company, Norgold, to operate a new gold mine.
The operating permit is for a period of four years in an area situated in the northern central region.
The Russian company already operates three gold mines in the north of the country.
Both sites have been plagued by jihadist violence since 2015, perpetrated by movements affiliated with Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State group.
Burkina Faso's 17 industrial mines produce around 70 tonnes of gold per year.
Gold production has replaced cotton as the leading export product.
Moscow enjoys growing popular support in Burkina Faso while France, the former colonial power, is vilified.
Since the September 30th coup that brought Captain Ibrahim Traoré to power, Burkinabes have repeatedly demonstrated waving flags of Russia, a country with which they want their new leaders to intensify relations.
01:42
Russia slams European push to reimpose UN sanctions on Iran
01:01
Kobold metals wins lithium exploration rights in Dr Congo
00:57
Woody Allen’s appearance at Moscow film festival draws sharp condemnation from Ukraine
01:12
DR Congo: Civil society groups call for reassessment of China mining deal
01:07
Russia launches massive assault on Ukraine as peace efforts drag on
01:19
Ghana ministers, ruling party official killed in army helicopter crash