ABIDJAN, Côte d’Ivoire – Montage Gold officially inaugurated the Koné mine on November 12, 2026, during a ceremony presided over by Mr. Téné Birahima Ouattara, Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Defense. This event marks a major milestone for Côte d’Ivoire, as Koné becomes the largest producing gold mine in the country by processing plant capacity and one of the largest in Africa.
Less than two years after breaking ground, the first gold bars were poured on September 26, 2026, ahead of the original schedule. The construction of the Koné mine required an investment of over 580 billion CFA francs. Mr. Martino De Ciccio, CEO of Montage Gold, emphasized that this success belongs to thousands of women and men, the vast majority of whom are Ivoirians, and reiterated that the success of Koné illustrates the importance of a stable, transparent, and predictable investment environment.
The inauguration of Koné confirms Montage Gold’s ambition to build a premier multi-asset African gold producer, creating win-win outcomes for all stakeholders. Social contributions are already concrete, including the reconstruction of a settlement, healthcare and drinking water infrastructure, poultry farms, literacy programs for 1,500 people, and the recruitment of over 1,000 local community members.
Key Players Involved
- Montage Gold: The company that officially inaugurated the Koné mine.
- Mr. Téné Birahima Ouattara: Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Defense of Côte d’Ivoire, who presided over the inauguration ceremony.
- Mr. Mamadou Sangafowa-Coulibaly: Minister of Mines, Petroleum, and Energy of Côte d’Ivoire.
- Mr. Martino De Ciccio: CEO of Montage Gold.
Event Timeline
- September 26, 2026: First gold bars poured at the Koné mine, ahead of schedule.
- November 12, 2026: Official inauguration of the Koné mine.
- November 13, 2026: News of the inauguration is widely reported.
