(Ecofin Agency) - The mining company Randgold Resources aims this year to keep output rising at its Tongon mine (North, Niellé permit) in Cote d’Ivoire which produced 300,000 ounces of gold in 2015. The executive director of the company Mark Bristow mentioned this during one of the traditional press conference that the group holds on quarterly basis.

The executive believes that Cote d’Ivoire provides the best conditions for the development of the firm’s mining and exploration activities. Since it has paid back its shareholder loans of $448 million, Randgold’s activity at the Tongon mine is blossoming and it intends to keep it so for the next five years.

After announcing the cut in production costs, Mark Bristow highlighted that the provision of power to ensure the proper running of the facility would be an asset. The firm also counts on its investments in exploration (Mankono and Boundial permits) to extend Tongon’s lifespan.

Still discussing the economic environment, the executive director failed not to mention Cote d’Ivoire’s current mining code. “It is one of the best mining codes in the world. It was established by the government and actors from the mining industry with a win-win mindset,” he said.

Stéphanie C. TOHON