(Ecofin Agency) - Africa’s premier gold producer, Ghana, hosts major mining firms such as Perseus Mining and Newmont, the largest gold producers globally. Perseus, managing the Edikan gold mine in Ghana, may soon double its production by acquiring Akyem, one of Newmont's Ghanaian mines.

Newmont Corporation, the world's largest gold producer, is divesting one of its Ghanaian assets, the Akyem mine, alongside other gold operations in Australia, Canada, and the United States. Perseus Mining is contemplating the acquisition of the Ghanaian mine from the U.S.-based company, according to Jeff Quartermaine, CEO of Perseus Mining.

"We will certainly explore the opportunity," Quartermaine remarked during a conference call. As per Mining Weekly, which cited the executive, Perseus Mining possesses significant familiarity with the Akyem project, given its existing ownership of the Edikan mine in Ghana.

Through this deal, Perseus Mining could double its gold output.

According to Newmont’s projections, Akyem is anticipated to yield 170,000 ounces in 2024. In the previous year, the mine produced 295,000 ounces, compared to Edikan's 202,599 ounces.

Newmont's presence in Ghana will continue even if the sale of Akyem materializes. The American firm will retain its Ahafo mine, which yielded 581,000 ounces in 2023.

Meanwhile, Perseus maintains operations in Côte d’Ivoire, where it operates the Yaouré and Sissingué gold mines.

Emiliano Tossou