WSP Expands Integrated Mining Services to Support West Africa’s Next Phase of Mining Growth

Global engineering and professional services firm WSP is positioning its integrated mining capabilities to support the evolving needs of West Africa’s mining sector as governments, investors and mining companies place increasing emphasis on sustainability, infrastructure development and long-term asset performance.

The company says the region’s mining industry is becoming more sophisticated, creating demand for multidisciplinary expertise that combines local knowledge with global technical capabilities.

West Africa Mining Sector Undergoing Transformation

West Africa remains one of the world’s most important mining regions, with countries such as Ghana, Mali, Burkina Faso, Guinea and Côte d’Ivoire playing significant roles in global mineral production.

While gold continues to dominate the sector, growing activity in iron ore and other strategic minerals is driving new investment and infrastructure development across the region.

According to WSP, the mining landscape is increasingly shaped by environmental, social and governance (ESG) expectations, local content requirements, mine closure obligations, water management challenges and the need for resilient infrastructure.

These factors are pushing mining companies to adopt more integrated approaches to project planning, operations and long-term asset management.

Growing Demand for Responsible Mining Practices

Ernest Krakani, Director and West Africa Lead for WSP in Africa, said mining projects are now more closely linked to local economic development and community expectations than ever before.

“Mining in West Africa is becoming more sophisticated, regulated and closely tied to local economic development,” Krakani said.

“Governments and regulators are asking relevant questions about local content, environmental management, closure planning and regional benefit. Mining companies need teams that understand local expectations and global standards.”

The growing focus on responsible mining reflects broader global trends, as investors, regulators and communities increasingly demand greater accountability from mining operators.

Environmental performance, rehabilitation planning, community engagement and sustainable resource management are becoming key considerations throughout the mining lifecycle.

Higher Commodity Prices Creating New Opportunities

WSP noted that rising gold prices are encouraging mining companies to reassess existing operations and explore opportunities to extend mine life through reserve expansion and tailings reprocessing.

The company believes mature mining jurisdictions across West Africa are well positioned to benefit from these opportunities, provided projects are supported by strong governance and technical expertise.

However, the region also continues to face challenges, including illegal mining activities, political uncertainty, security concerns, rising operational costs and supply chain disruptions.

According to Krakani, these realities highlight the need for robust risk management and comprehensive project planning.

“West Africa has significant mining potential, but projects must be approached with a clear understanding of the operating environment,” he said.

“The opportunity is not simply to develop more mines. It is to develop and manage mining assets in ways that are safer, more responsible, more efficient and better aligned with local expectations.”

Integrated Solutions Becoming Increasingly Important

As mining projects become more complex, WSP says companies are seeking integrated technical services that address interconnected operational and environmental challenges.

The firm identified mine water management, tailings governance, waste management, environmental compliance, infrastructure planning, closure strategies and monitoring systems as some of the most critical areas requiring multidisciplinary expertise.

Krakani explained that decisions involving water infrastructure, tailings storage facilities and mine waste management can have significant implications for safety, environmental performance, community relations and long-term project sustainability.

“These are not isolated technical issues,” he said.

“Mine water, tailings, waste facilities and infrastructure decisions can all affect environmental risk, community confidence, closure planning, operating cost, safety and long-term resilience.”

By addressing these challenges through integrated planning, mining companies can reduce operational risks while improving efficiency and regulatory compliance.

Leveraging Global Expertise for Regional Growth

WSP’s mining capabilities in West Africa build on the regional legacy of Golder Associates and the company’s broader expertise across engineering, infrastructure, environmental services, energy, digital systems and advisory services.

The company says its African mining division consists of more than 250 multidisciplinary professionals supporting mining operations throughout the continent.

This allows clients to access specialist technical expertise while benefiting from local market knowledge and understanding of regional operating conditions.

“The value for clients is that scale does not come at the expense of local understanding,” Krakani said.

“Our teams understand the operating realities of West African mining, and we can draw on specialist expertise from across WSP when clients need it.”

Future of Mining in West Africa

Looking ahead, WSP believes the next phase of mining growth in West Africa will depend on balancing resource development with sustainability, infrastructure investment and community benefits.

The company expects demand to grow for services supporting the entire mining lifecycle, including feasibility studies, environmental and social assessments, operational optimisation, mine closure planning and performance improvement.

As regulatory frameworks continue to evolve and investors place greater emphasis on ESG performance, mining companies are increasingly seeking integrated solutions that help manage risk while protecting long-term asset value.

“With the sector evolving rapidly, clients need more than single-discipline support,” Krakani said.

“They need integrated advice and technical services that help them respond to regulation, manage risk, improve performance and protect long-term asset value.”

Conclusion

West Africa’s mining industry is entering a new phase marked by stronger regulatory oversight, growing sustainability expectations and increased demand for responsible resource development.

As mining companies navigate these changes, integrated technical expertise is becoming increasingly important for ensuring operational efficiency, environmental stewardship and long-term project success.

WSP’s expanded focus on multidisciplinary mining solutions reflects the broader transformation taking place across one of the world’s most important mineral-producing regions.