At the close of the Artisanal and Small-scale Mining (EMAPE) workshop in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire's Minister of Mines, Petroleum and Energy, Mamadou Sangafowa-Coulibaly, announced a strategic project for the gold sector: the construction of a gold refinery by the end of 2025. The aim of this initiative is to maximise the added value of the country's growing gold production and strengthen its position as a key player in the West African mining industry.
According to the Minister, this project will further structure the gold industry by strengthening the national gold counter. "It's a project with strong economic potential that will enable us to capture more resources, because it's the downstream that drives the upstream," he said. By processing raw gold on site before export, Côte d'Ivoire aims to improve its balance of trade, develop the jewellery industry and become a reference centre for jewellery in the sub-region.
The construction of this plant is part of the National Development Plan (NDP) 2021-2025, which emphasises the development of mining resources. This project echoes a similar announcement made in 2021 by the Managing Director of SODEMI, Koné Moussa Seydou, who already stressed the importance of processing gold and silver locally to maximise the economic benefits.
Côte d'Ivoire, one of the leading gold producers in West Africa, is experiencing a significant expansion in its gold production. This refinery will enable the country to capture more of the added value from this strategic resource, following the lead of other gold-producing countries in the region, such as Mali and Burkina Faso.
The initiative is also a response to the challenges posed by artisanal mining, which accounts for a significant proportion of gold production. By formalising and promoting EMAPE, the government aims to provide a framework for this activity, so that it can move from an often informal sector to a better organised and more profitable industry. The Abidjan workshop was welcomed by artisanal miners, with Eugène Malan, Chairman of Eburnie Gold Field, stressing the importance of these discussions for the development of the sector.
This project is the latest in a series of industrial investments in Côte d'Ivoire, reflecting the government's desire to diversify its economy. In recent years, the country has seen the inauguration of processing plants in sectors such as rubber, cocoa and cashew nuts, making it even more attractive to investors. The future gold refinery, for which the administrative procedures are underway, should benefit from public and private support to ensure its success.
Pending the official launch of the project by the end of the year, players in the mining sector and economic observers are keeping a close eye on this initiative, which could redefine Côte d'Ivoire's place in the regional and international gold market.