The first gold pour achieved at the Koné site marks a major milestone in the Ivorian mining strategy. Due to its production capacity and the significance of its resources, the project is expected to allow the country to scale up and draw closer to the leading African producers.
Ivory Coast is taking a new step in its gold-related ambition. On 26 September 2026, the Canadian group Montage Gold achieved the first gold pour at the Koné mine, its flagship project located in the center-west of the country, between the departments of Kani and Dianra.
In the mining industry, the "first pour" refers to the initial batch of gold obtained after extracting and processing ore, then cast into ingot form. It serves to verify that the production chain is operational, from the mine to the processing plant.
However, this milestone does not mean that the site is already producing at full capacity.
At Koné, this initial operation yielded approximately 1 140 ounces of gold, or nearly 35,5 kilograms. It comes less than two years after the start of construction in December 2024, and several months ahead of the initial schedule, which had anticipated this milestone for the second quarter of 2027.
Since 8 September, more than 400 000 tonnes of ore had already been introduced into the oxide circuit. In other words, the plant had begun crushing and processing gold-bearing rocks extracted near the surface.
This volume corresponds to the amount of ore (rock) processed through the facilities.
The site must still undergo a commissioning and ramp-up phase. Montage Gold expects to achieve commercial production from the oxide circuit during the fourth quarter of 2026, no later than the end of the year.
A new milestone is expected in the second quarter of 2027, which should allow the mine to gradually reach its full capacity.
With this start-up, Koné becomes the ninth operating gold mine in Ivory Coast. Staying within budget and running ahead of schedule also represent a positive signal for the national mining sector.
Presented as the first "world-class" Ivorian gold mine, Koné represents a change in scale for the country's extractive industry.
According to the feasibility study published in 2024, the mine is expected to produce more than 300 000 ounces of gold per year for its first eight years, or more than 9 tonnes annually. Average production is estimated at 349 000 ounces during the first three years, with a potential peak of 378 000 ounces during the third year of operation.
Over its entire life cycle, currently estimated at sixteen years, Koné is expected to deliver approximately 3,57 million ounces of gold.
According to Montage, the probable reserves of Koné, i.e., the quantities of gold considered technically and economically exploitable, reach 4,01 million ounces.
Drilling conducted since 2024 has also enabled the identification of additional gold in the subsoil. In June 2026, "measured and indicated" resources, which correspond to the best-documented volumes from a geological perspective, were re-evaluated from 4,86 to 6,29 million ounces.
These resources are not all yet considered profitable and directly exploitable. Further studies will be required to potentially convert a portion into reserves.
Their progress nevertheless shows that the site's potential is greater than initially estimated and could allow for increased production or an extension of the mine's life.
Koné is also intended to be fed by several satellite deposits, including Gbongogo Main. Some of these sites have higher gold grades and could support the volumes produced during the first years of operation, according to notes published by the company.
Ivory Coast produced 59 tonnes of gold in 2024 and its production was expected to be around 62 tonnes in 2025. At full capacity, Koné alone could therefore add more than 9 tonnes per year during its first years, significantly increasing the national volume.
This growth should be bolstered by other major projects. In the east of the country, Tanda-Iguela targets production exceeding 300 000 ounces per year during its initial years.
In the northeast, Doropo is expected to produce an average of 169 000 ounces, or nearly 5 tonnes of gold per year, over thirteen years.
The entry into production of these various assets could bring Ivory Coast closer to its goal of becoming Africa's leading gold producer by 2035. This ambition remains, however, contingent upon meeting schedules, continuing exploration, and transforming discoveries into effectively operational mines.
The construction of Koné mobilized approximately 3 600 workers, with more than 95% being nationals. Once the mine is fully operational, Montage Gold anticipates nearly