Successful Exploration Continues to Extend Tongon’s Life of Mine
Originally scheduled for closure in 2020, the life of Barrick’s Tongon gold mine continues to be extended through successful exploration campaigns.
Speaking at a media briefing on Wednesday July 5th general manager Hilaire Diarra said that since Tongon poured its first gold in 2010, the mine has contributed $2.2 billion to the Ivorian economy in the form of taxes, infrastructure development, salaries and payments to local suppliers.
“Extending its life will help ensure that Tongon is still able to share the value it creates with all its Ivorian stakeholders continuing its investment in community infrastructure development and income-generating projects.
Exploration has further delivered the Seydou North, Tongon West and Djinni satellite targets adding to the life of mine Barrick has now also been awarded a new exploration permit for Boundiali and drilling is ongoing at the Fonondara conversion project,” he said.
“In spite of the fact that throughout its life Tongon has had to contend with serious operational issues, as well as a challenging socio-political environment, since pouring first gold it has never had an unprofitable quarter, which is a tribute to the dedication of the mine’s successive management teams. At the halfway mark of this year, it is on track to once again achieve its annual production guidance.”
