The Montreal-based company is now using helicopters to transport all expatriate employees between the Boungou mine and the capital Ouagadougou. A ground military force has also been deployed on the route between the mine and the city, which, combined with a heightened escort presence, the miner hopes will ensure the safe transport of national employees between the mine and their villages.

SEMAFO reported last Monday an armed incident on the road between the Burkina Faso town of Fada and the Boungou mine, in the Est region, had left five armed police officers and one mining contractor dead.

Six days later, bandits killed two national employees near the Mana mine, in the west, when the bus they were travelling in drove into an ongoing hold-up by bandits on the main Bobo road. SEMAFO has now also switched to transporting all expatriate employees by helicopter between the mine and the capital.

It has also reinforced escorts to transport national employees between the Mana mine and their homes.

SEMAFO said senior management, including the CEO, had travelled to Burkina Faso to ensure all necessary measures were being taken to safeguard the safety of all personnel.

The stock is down 18.77% since the start of the year, trading 1.37% lower early in the Monday session at C2.90 a share.