Keypoints:
- 11 exploration permits granted for key minerals
- Cote d’Ivoire targets 100 tonnes of gold by 2030
- Mining sector now 4 percent of GDP
COTE d’Ivoire has approved 11 new mining exploration permits for gold, cobalt and copper as part of its broader plan to attract investment and diversify its economy beyond cocoa, government spokesperson Amadou Coulibaly announced on Wednesday.
The decision followed a cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Robert Beugré Mambé, marking another step in the West African nation’s strategy to position itself as a stable and investor-friendly mining hub. The announcement comes at a time when neighbouring Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger face growing regulatory uncertainty under military juntas tightening control over their mining assets.
Four-year licences to boost mineral exploration
According to Coulibaly, the new permits, valid for four years, were awarded to a mix of local and international firms. Eight licences focus on gold exploration, including those granted to Resolute Exploration Côte d’Ivoire, a subsidiary of Australian-listed Resolute Mining, which is developing the Doropo gold project in the north of the country.
Another recipient, Tieto Minéral, operates the Abujar gold mine west of Abidjan. The remaining three permits cover exploration for chrome, manganese, nickel, cobalt and copper—minerals increasingly vital to the global energy transition.
Strong growth in gold output
Cote d’Ivoire’s gold production has surged from 10 tonnes in 2012 to 58 tonnes in 2024, with projections of 62 tonnes next year, Mines Minister Mamadou Sangafowa Coulibaly told Reuters last year. The government aims to boost output to 100 tonnes annually by 2030, supported by major projects like Endeavour Mining’s Lafigué mine in central Cote d’Ivoire.
Mining now contributes around 4 percent to GDP, up from 1.5 percent a decade ago, and continues to draw significant foreign capital, according to the Professional Group of Miners of Cote d’Ivoire, a leading industry body.
Global miners deepen Ivorian presence
Major international firms such as Barrick Gold, Perseus Mining, Roxgold, and Fortuna Mining already have substantial operations in Cote d’Ivoire, underscoring its growing reputation as one of West Africa’s most attractive destinations for mining investment.
Coulibaly said the newly granted permits reflect the government’s vision to unlock the country’s untapped mineral potential and further diversify its economic base.
‘The issuance of these permits demonstrates our commitment to sustainable resource development and economic diversification beyond cocoa,’ he said.
With the new authorisations, Cote d’Ivoire reinforces its position as a regional mining leader, combining geological potential with political and regulatory stability that continues to attract global investors.
