After his quarterly meeting with the DRC press, Mark Bristow flew to the Ivory Coast where he held a press briefing on 19 July 2019 on the sidelines of the visit to the Tongon mine. was also on the menu of their exchanges.

« Barrick Gold Corporation is actively working to extend the life of its Tongon gold mine while exploring new opportunities elsewhere in Côte d’Ivoire. Tongon is in its tenth year of operation and its promoter, Randgold Resources, which has merged with Barrick, has been involved in Côte d’Ivoire for more than 20 years with over $ 90 million spent solely on exploration during this period, « Bristow told the Ivorian press.

In fact, outside of Côte d’Ivoire, extensive exploration is underway on all permits in the company’s large portfolio, which covers the country’s most promising regions.

Two factors contributed to the success of this program. First, part of the government’s ongoing support in processing applications and facilitating access to permits. Then, since the appointment by the President of the Republic, a minister dedicated to the mining sector, how to collaborate with industry players has significantly evolved in the resolution of key issues that had proven to be obstacles in the past.

As a reminder, the Tongon mine was discovered and developed during a period of military-political crisis and since then it has had to face almost every challenge imaginable. These include social and community unrest in the region, prolonged work stoppages and irregular power supply.

« But thanks to a committed and courageous management team that I congratulate, composed almost exclusively of Ivorian nationals, the mine has nevertheless been profitable, offering considerable value to all its stakeholders and paving the way for the growth of the mining industry. and the economy of the country, « reassured Bristow.

Encouraging sign that pushes the leaders of this mine to consider more ambitious projects. Thus, based on current reserves, there is less than three years of operation in Tongon and Barrick hopes to extend this period by converting resources close to the mine into reserves, exploring the potential of satellite deposits and surveying along the Badenou area inside the Tongon permit.

Barrick also seeks to advance agribusiness projects designed to provide economic opportunities and food security to the local community after the closure of the mine.

Nadine FULA