Ivory Coast’s gold production will reach a record level in 2023, boosted by the opening of new mines, and will continue to grow, Mines Minister Mamadou Sangafowa Coulibaly declared on Thursday.
Ivory Coast, the world’s leading cocoa producer, wants to develop its long-neglected mining sector to diversify its sources of income.
Gold production has been steadily increasing for several years and is expected to reach 56 metric tons this year, Coulibaly told reporters at a news conference.
Last year it amounted to 51 tons, which represents an increase of more than 6% compared to 48 tons in 2022.
Mining companies operating in Côte d’Ivoire include Barrick Gold, Endeavor and Perseus mining.
In September, Canada’s Roxgold opened its gold mine in the northwest region, with the goal of producing about 130,000 ounces of gold per year.
Barrick Gold stated in July that its Tongon mine, whose production was expected to exceed 200,000 ounces of gold in 2023, would continue operating at least until 2030 following a major discovery of new deposits.
In the meeting with journalists, Coulibaly also said that two electricity generating units with a capacity of 488 MW were stopped, forcing the country to reduce its energy exports to neighboring countries.
Ivory Coast’s total electrical capacity is currently 2,907 MW, he said, adding that by 2030 the country will become a net oil exporter, without giving figures.
