Gold output in Ivory Coast set to climb in 2026 as mines expand

Ivory Coast’s gold output is expected to reach 62 metric tons in 2026, up from 59.33 tons in 2025, as established mines expand operations, the West African country’s director general of mines told Reuters.

Output would rise further to 63 tons in 2027 and around 69 tons in 2028, Seydou Coulibaly said.

The world’s top cocoa producer currently has 14 gold mines in operation. That number will rise to 15 in two years with the opening of the Kone mine, and to 17 in three years when the Doropo and Tanda mines come online, he said.

Ivory Coast’s eastern neighbour, Ghana, is Africa’s largest producer, boasting output of 187 tons of gold last year, according to data by the World Gold Council. Ivorian authorities are seeking to close the gap as part of efforts to diversify the economy.

“In recent years, Ivory Coast has become increasingly attractive for gold exploration – the growing interest from domestic and international investors is a testament to this attractiveness,” Coulibaly said.

He said the government granted 151 research permits out of 189 applications in 2023, 160 out of 203 in 2024, and 171 out of 225 in 2025, reflecting rising investor interest in the sector.

The Ministry of Mines, Petroleum and Energy, meanwhile, plans to use SIREXE, an international extractive resources and energy exhibition, in Abidjan from November 18 to 22 to showcase new mining projects and attract foreign investors, Coulibaly said.

Mining companies operating in Ivory Coast include the UK’s Endeavour Mining, Australia’s Perseus Mining and Resolute Mining and Canada’s Roxgold.

(By Loucoumane Coulibaly; Editing by Clement Bonnerot and Joe Bavier)