Keypoints:
- First gold produced on December 15 at Bomboré
- New $80m plant to lift output by 45 percent in 2026
- Expansion studies could push production beyond 225,000 ounces
OREZONE Gold Corp has poured first gold from a newly commissioned processing plant at its Bomboré mine in Burkina Faso, marking a pivotal step in the company’s plan to scale up production and unlock stronger cash flow from the asset.
The Canadian miner said the milestone was achieved on December 15 following the completion of commissioning at the $80 million facility, which has been designed to process higher-grade ore and improve overall efficiency at the mine.
Bomboré is one of Burkina Faso’s largest undeveloped gold assets to reach production in recent years, but output has so far been constrained by reliance on an oxide processing plant. That limitation is now easing as the new facility comes online.
Early performance exceeds expectations
According to Orezone, mill throughput averaged 78 percent of nameplate capacity during the first five days of operation, an early indicator the company says supports a smooth ramp-up phase.
‘Commissioning is now complete, with mill throughput averaging 78 percent of nameplate capacity over the first five days of operation, resulting in first gold on December 15,’ Orezone President and Chief Executive Patrick Downey said in a statement.
The new plant has a nameplate capacity of 2.5 million tonnes per year and is expected to materially change Bomboré’s production profile once commercial operations are declared.
Production outlook strengthens for 2026
Bomboré produced 118,746 ounces of gold in 2024. Orezone has guided that output in 2025 will range between 115,000 and 130,000 ounces, reflecting a transitional year as the company shifts to treating higher-grade material.
From 2026, however, the impact of the new plant is expected to be substantial. Orezone forecasts total gold production at Bomboré of between 170,000 and 185,000 ounces next year, representing a 45 percent increase compared with current levels.
‘Commercial production is expected to be declared in early first-quarter 2026 and will mark a major milestone for Orezone,’ Downey said. ‘This will represent a significant inflection point for cash flow, supported by the company’s solid balance sheet and record-high gold prices.’
Focus turns to ramp-up and optimisation
Orezone said its immediate priority is to continue increasing throughput and stabilising operations at the new facility. Management believes further gains can be achieved as the plant moves closer to nameplate capacity and operating efficiencies improve.
The company is also studying the potential development of a second processing plant of similar scale at Bomboré. If approved, the additional facility could lift annual production to between 225,000 and 250,000 ounces, significantly expanding the mine’s role within Burkina Faso’s gold sector.
No timeline has yet been announced for a final investment decision on the second plant.
State stake remains unchanged
Orezone holds a 90 percent interest in the Bomboré mine, with the remaining 10 percent owned by the Burkinabe state, in line with national mining regulations.
As Burkina Faso seeks to maximise value from its mineral resources, Bomboré’s expansion underscores the continued importance of gold to the country’s economy, even as producers navigate security risks and operational challenges across the Sahel.
For Orezone, the first gold pour marks the beginning of a new phase — one defined less by construction risk and more by execution, scale, and sustained output growth.
