Côte d'Ivoire: Allied Gold increases gold production by 5% in the first quarter of 2025

Canadian mining company Allied Gold has announced a 5% increase in gold production in Côte d'Ivoire in the first quarter of 2025, with a total of 38,808 ounces produced from its Bonikro and Agbaou mines, compared with 36,676 ounces in the first quarter of 2024. This performance, published on 12 May 2025, reflects the improvement in operations against a backdrop of sustained global demand for gold.

The Bonikro mine produced 19,671 ounces of gold in the first quarter of 2025, compared with 18,631 ounces the previous year, while Agbaou reached 19,137 ounces, compared with 18,045 ounces in 2024. This increase is attributed to a higher grade of ore mined, particularly from the WP3 pit, as well as increased throughput from the processing plant. Allied Gold also highlighted the flexibility of its operations, which allow it to process ore from multiple sources, and the stripping work currently underway, which should boost production in the second half of 2025.

"Our teams in Côte d'Ivoire have demonstrated great agility in mining and processing, while paving the way for sustained growth in the months ahead," an Allied Gold spokesperson said in a statement.

Allied Gold has set an ambitious target of 175,000 to 195,000 ounces of gold from its Ivorian operations in 2025, with a breakdown of 98,000 to 105,000 ounces for Bonikro and 77,000 to 90,000 ounces for Agbaou. This performance in Côte d'Ivoire is crucial to achieving the company's overall annual guidance, which targets total production of 375,000 to 400,000 ounces across its portfolio, including the Sadiola mine in Mali.

Sadiola, a key Allied Gold asset, produced 45,232 ounces in the first quarter of 2025, making a significant contribution to the company's results. Together, the three mines (Bonikro, Agbaou and Sadiola) position Allied Gold as a major player in the West African gold sector.

Côte d'Ivoire, which produced around 41 tonnes of gold in 2023, continues to attract mining investment thanks to a stable regulatory framework and abundant gold resources. The Bonikro and Agbaou mines, located in the Bouaflé and Divo regions respectively, benefit from modern infrastructure and access to high-potential deposits. Allied Gold's efforts to optimise its operations, notably by upgrading processing plants and developing new pits, are in line with the growth momentum of the Ivorian mining sector.

Despite these encouraging results, Allied Gold faces a number of operational challenges, including cost management in a context of volatile energy and input prices. The company is focusing on process efficiency and investment in infrastructure to maintain profitability. Ongoing stripping work at Bonikro and Agbaou, aimed at accessing higher grade areas, should support production in the second half of the year, but its success will depend on the stability of operations and weather conditions.

In addition, Allied Gold will have to navigate the expectations of local communities and the Ivorian authorities, who are demanding significant economic and social benefits. The company has already set up community development programmes, but the pressure for responsible management remains strong.

With increased production and ambitious targets, Allied Gold is consolidating its presence in West Africa, a key region for the global gold industry. The performance of its Ivorian mines, combined with that of Sadiola in Mali, illustrates the company's ability to optimise its assets in established mining jurisdictions.

In conclusion, Allied Gold's 5% increase in gold production in Côte d'Ivoire in the first quarter of 2025 marks an important step towards its annual targets. As the company intensifies its efforts to maximise the value of its assets, it is contributing to the dynamism of the Ivorian mining sector, while strengthening its position in the global gold market.