(Ecofin Agency) - Côte d'Ivoire's gold potential is estimated at 600 tonnes. The country is looking for new viable deposits to bolster its gold production, which hit 51 tonnes in 2023.

During the Council of Ministers meeting on October 16, the Ivorian government issued four decrees granting mining exploration permits: three for gold and one for lithium.

The gold licenses were awarded to Smart Mineral Explorer SARL and Africa New Geological Technologies Côte d'Ivoire SARL, covering M'Bengué and Ouangolodougou, and Odienné and Gbéléban, respectively. Occidental Gold SARL received a permit for the Tengréla department, while Global Energy & Minerals SARL got a lithium permit for Sakassou, Tiebissou, and Bouaké.

Ivorian gold production has surged from 38.5 tonnes in 2020 to 51 tonnes last year. New exploration permits can attract investment, leading to discoveries that sustain this production growth.

Regarding lithium, the government has issued several exploration permits over the last two years, including one to Khaleesi Resources SARL, a subsidiary of Atlantic Lithium, which is developing Ghana's first lithium mine, Ewoyaa. 

A significant lithium discovery could position Côte d'Ivoire among future West African producers, following Mali and Ghana. Atex, owned by Firering Strategic Minerals, is the country’s most advanced lithium project.

Gold is the most mined ore in Côte d'Ivoire. The sector accounted for 13.7% of total exports in 2023. However, the country is also among the world's top 10 manganese producers.

Emiliano Tossou