Guinea: gold production at the Siguiri mine jumps 67% in the first quarter of 2025

The Siguiri gold mine, operated by AngloGold Ashanti in Guinea, recorded a spectacular rise in production in the first quarter of 2025, with an increase of 67% compared with the same period in 2024. According to the quarterly report published by the South African company on 9 May 2025, Siguiri produced 80,000 attributable ounces of gold (approximately 2.27 tonnes), compared with 48,000 ounces (1.36 tonnes) the previous year.

This remarkable increase is attributable to a series of operational optimisations implemented at the site. AngloGold Ashanti, which owns 85% of the mine (the remaining 15% is owned by the Guinean state), decided in particular to stop processing the Bidini ore, a measure that improved the quality of the ore processed. At the same time, the company optimised its carbon-assisted operations and strengthened the stability of the processing plant, leading to a 20% increase in the tonnage of ore processed.

Taking into account the Guinean state's participation, Siguiri's total production for the first quarter of 2025 is approximately 94,000 ounces of gold, reinforcing the mine's position as a key asset for AngloGold Ashanti in Africa. This performance contributed to an overall increase of 22% in the company's attributable production to 720,000 ounces across its African operations, including the Iduapriem and Obuasi mines (Ghana), Geita (Tanzania), Sukari (Egypt) and Kibali (DRC).

Located some 850 km north-east of Conakry, the Siguiri mine is an open-pit gold deposit and the only asset operated by AngloGold Ashanti in Guinea. By 2024, it had already produced 273,000 attributable ounces of gold, confirming its central role in the country's mining economy. Guinea, where gold mining is dominated by the artisanal sector (accounting for around 80% of gold exports), is seeing its industrial sector gain momentum with projects such as Siguiri, but also the entry into production of the Kouroussa mine in 2023 and the planned resumption of production at Kiniero.

Despite these encouraging results, the Siguiri operation has not always been without its challenges. In the past, the mine has faced disruptions, including a union strike in 2018 and community protests in 2019 demanding the asphalting of a local road. In 2016, NGOs also accused AngloGold subsidiary Société aurifère de Guinée (SAG) of land expropriations affecting 377 families in the Kintinian locality, raising concerns about compliance with resettlement standards.

However, AngloGold Ashanti has highlighted its efforts to improve safety and support local communities. In 2019, the mine extended a four-year fatality-free period, and development programmes have been launched to promote economic growth and sustainable job creation beyond the life of the mine.

Siguiri's performance in the first quarter of 2025 reflects the dynamism of the Guinean gold sector, which is benefiting from the rise in world gold prices. With projects such as Kiniero, which could deliver 712,000 ounces of gold in less than seven years, and Kouroussa, despite delays in its commercial production, Guinea is consolidating its place among African gold producers.

While the country continues to invest in energy infrastructure, such as the solar power plants planned for the prefectures of Siguiri and Kouroussa at a cost of $90 million, the Guinean mining industry could enjoy sustained growth, provided the challenges of social stability and governance are met.

In conclusion, the 67% increase in production at Siguiri in the first quarter of 2025 marks an important milestone for AngloGold Ashanti and for Guinea. It illustrates the potential of the gold industry to contribute to the country's economic development, while underlining the importance of responsible management to meet the expectations of local communities and authorities.