Côte d'Ivoire: AngloGold Ashanti sells its gold projects to Resolute Mining for $175 million

AngloGold Ashanti plc has announced the sale of its interests in two gold projects in Côte d'Ivoire to Resolute Mining Limited ("Resolute"), a mining company renowned for its expertise in West Africa. The transaction, valued at $175 million, is part of AngloGold Ashanti's strategy to refocus on its operating assets and development projects in the United States.

AngloGold Ashanti will sell Centamin West Africa Holdings Limited ("CWAH"), which holds the Doropo Project and the Archean-Birimian Contact ("ABC") Project in Côte d'Ivoire. The Doropo project, located in the north-east of the country around 480km from Abidjan, comprises seven exploration licences covering 1,850km², with 13 gold deposits, 11 of which are concentrated within a 7km radius. The ABC project is an early-stage exploration initiative. Completion of the sale, scheduled for 1 May 2025, is unconditional.

This disposal follows AngloGold Ashanti's acquisition of Centamin plc in November 2024, which had included these projects in its portfolio. A strategic review revealed that the Doropo project, due to its scale and competition for capital with other development projects, would be better valued under the leadership of a company such as Resolute, which has the operational expertise and financial resources to accelerate the project's development. AngloGold Ashanti CEO Alberto Calderon said: "This transaction allows us to maintain our focus on disciplined capital allocation and generate efficiencies from our existing portfolio. It also ensures that these projects are in the right hands for the benefit of all stakeholders.

As part of the transaction, AngloGold Ashanti will also acquire Toro Gold Guinea Sarlu ("TGG"), which holds the Mansala project in Guinea, from Resolute. Located close to AngloGold Ashanti's Siguiri mine, the Mansala project is expected to be developed as an additional source of ore for the Siguiri operations. However, the acquisition is subject to a number of conditions, including the renewal of the TGG licences and the approval of the Guinean government, which must be satisfied within 18 months of the sale. In the event of failure, AngloGold Ashanti will receive an additional payment of $25 million in compensation.

The total consideration for the sale is $175 million, comprising a cash payment of $150 million and either the acquisition of the Mansala project or an additional payment of $25 million if the acquisition does not proceed. This transaction enables AngloGold Ashanti to optimise its portfolio while entrusting the Ivorian projects to an experienced player capable of accelerating their development.

Resolute Mining, which is already well established in West Africa, is thus strengthening its presence in Côte d'Ivoire, where it will be able to draw on its expertise to maximise the value of the Doropo and ABC projects.

This transaction reflects AngloGold Ashanti's commitment to rigorous capital management and asset optimisation on a global scale. At the same time, it provides Resolute with an opportunity to consolidate its position in Côte d'Ivoire, while paving the way for potential collaboration in Guinea via the Mansala project.