Four additional gold exploration permits are issued by Côte d’Ivoire.
In light of growing interest in exploration, licenses are intended to draw investment.
By 2030, the nation hopes to produce 100 tons of gold annually. On Wednesday, the Council of Ministers of Côte d’Ivoire passed four ordinances authorizing gold prospecting. The country, which was identified as Africa’s top destination for mineral exploration investment in 2025, may see an increase in spending as a result of the authorizations.
Lley Global Mining SA (LGM-SA) was awarded a permit in the Divo department, while Pioneer Minerals SARL was granted one covering the departments of Aboisso and Alépé. Golden Core Materials Two permits were obtained by SARL: one for Soubré and Buyo, and another for Soubré alone. Every license has a four-year expiration date.
The recent awards are a part of a long-term pattern in gold exploration permits that has been going on for a few months. In December 2025, nine businesses, including the massive Canadian mining company Barrick Mining, received roughly a dozen permits. Three further permits were granted in February 2026, including those to Schiba Mining SA and ZS Ressources SARL. The rate at which permits are being issued is indicative of Côte d’Ivoire’s increasing appeal to mining investors.
The nation drew $186 million in exploration investment in 2025, up $84 million from 2024, according to S&P Global Market Intelligence’s World Exploration Trends 2026 report, which was released in March. Côte d’Ivoire rose to the top of the list of exploration destinations as a result of this growth, the biggest in Africa. The total amount spent on exploration in the continent increased by 11% to $1.44 billion.
A solid business climate and a more than 60% increase in gold prices in 2025 are contributing factors to the spike in interest. By leveraging this momentum, the government hopes to increase yearly gold production from roughly 60 tons in 2024 to 100 metric tons by 2030.
New funding for exploration in these areas may be attracted by the four permits issued on April 1. The potential for gold in Côte d’Ivoire is estimated by authorities to be about 600 metric tons. However, it might take several years to provide an initial resource estimate and requires a significant investment to find a viable deposit.
Tossou Emiliano
