Ivory Coast has announced the discovery of a significant new gold deposit in the northeastern department of Doropo, marking its third “world-class” find in recent months and reinforcing its ambition to become one of Africa’s top five gold producers.
The announcement came on June 16, 2025, from Australian mining company Resolute Mining, which confirmed the presence of over 100 tonnes of gold in Doropo, near the border with Burkina Faso. The project is expected to attract €450 million (approximately CFA 300 billion) in investment and create nearly 3,000 direct jobs.
“This is more than a mining project; it is a game changer for Doropo,” a local official stated, pointing to the region’s poverty rate, which stood at 71% in 2021. Many in the area live on less than 1,000 CFA francs per day. The mine is anticipated to bring long-term economic transformation through job creation, infrastructure development, and increased public services.
Construction of the mine is slated to begin in early 2026, with gold production expected to commence by 2028. Resolute Mining estimates that tax revenues from the operation will exceed CFA 300 billion over the lifespan of the mine, which is projected to run for more than two decades.
This latest discovery follows the unveiling of the Koné and Tanda deposits, operated by Montage Gold and Endeavour Mining respectively, each with production potential of over 150 tonnes. With these developments, Ivory coast is positioning itself alongside Ghana, South Africa, Mali, and Burkina Faso as one of the continent’s key gold producers.
Resolute Mining, which also operates in Mali and Senegal, is expanding its footprint in West Africa. In a recent acquisition, the company purchased the Doropo and ABC projects from AngloGold Ashanti for nearly CFA 107 billion, and it has earmarked an additional CFA 120 billion for future exploration within Côte d’Ivoire.
“The country’s mining regulations and reforms have made it a magnet for international investment,” said a Resolute executive, who expressed confidence in surpassing 500,000 ounces of gold in annual output.
However, alongside optimism, there are calls for caution. A local NGO has urged the government and companies involved to ensure community rights are respected, landowners are compensated fairly, and the environment is safeguarded. Illegal gold mining, which has long plagued the region, remains a pressing issue that authorities must address.
As Ivory coast accelerates its rise in the global mining sector, the Doropo discovery could be a milestone not just in gold production, but in equitable and sustainable development—if the promises made are fulfilled in practice.
