Lafigué gold project in Côte d’Ivoire set for wet commissioning
The Lafigué gold project in Côte d’Ivoire is set for wet commissioning. The Lafigué processing plant, situated in the north-east part of the Fetekro exploration permit area, is nearing full construction completion, with 94% of the work finished.
Endeavour Mining initiated the process which involves the activation of critical processing circuits such as crushing, milling, and carbon-in-leach (CIL). The first ore was introduced to the crushing and milling circuits on May 24, and the ore stockpiles currently total 1.6 million tonnes with an average gold grade of 1.30g/t, containing approximately 65,000 ounces of gold.
Lafigué gold project
The project’s initial growth capital expenditure is $448 million, of which $434.9 million (97%) is already committed. For the fiscal year 2024, the expected gold production ranges between 90,000 and 110,000 ounces at an all-in sustaining cost (AISC) of $900/oz to $975/oz.
The Lafigué project is anticipated to produce over 200,000 ounces of gold annually at an AISC below $900/oz over an initial mine life of 13 years. The project was developed from Endeavour’s exploration efforts at an industry-low discovery cost of $12 per indicated resource ounce, totaling $31 million.
Ian Cockerill, CEO of Endeavour Mining, emphasized the strategic importance of the Lafigué project, stating it will be a cornerstone asset within Endeavour’s portfolio. He highlighted the project’s expedited timeline, achieving wet commissioning within 21 months of construction commencement, and the ongoing progress ahead of the scheduled first gold pour in late June.
