Côte d’Ivoire has granted 11 new mining exploration permits to local and international firms targeting gold, cobalt and copper, as the world’s leading cocoa producer accelerates efforts to diversify its economy and attract fresh investment into the fast-growing mining sector.
The permits, valid for four years, were approved by the Council of Ministers on 1st October, government spokesperson Amadou Coulibaly announced.
Eight of the new licenses are for gold exploration, including for Resolute Exploration Côte d’Ivoire, operator of the Doropo project in the north, and Tieto Minéral, which runs the Abujar gold mine west of Abidjan. Three additional permits cover chrome, manganese, nickel, cobalt and copper exploration.
Boost output to 100 tonnes
The decision comes as Côte d’Ivoire seeks to position itself as a stable and investor-friendly mining destination.
Gold production in Côte d’Ivoire has jumped from 10 tonnes in 2012 to 58 tonnes in 2024, and is expected to reach 62 tonnes in 2025, according to Mines Minister Mamadou Sangafowa Coulibaly. The surge has been fueled by new mines such as Lafigué, operated by Endeavour Mining. The government aims to boost output to 100 tonnes per year by 2030.
4% of GDP
Mining now contributes 4% of GDP, up from 1.5% a decade ago, and has attracted billions of dollars in investment, according to the Professional Group of Miners of Côte d’Ivoire. Major international operators include Barrick, Perseus Mining, Roxgold and Fortuna Mining.
“These new permits reflect our strategy to unlock untapped mineral potential and diversify the economy beyond cocoa,” government spokesperson Coulibaly said.
Source: Reuters
