Côte d’Ivoire: Seven Local Banks Commit CFA148 Billion to Build Resolute Mining’s Doropo Gold Mine

Côte d’Ivoire’s banking sector is taking a larger role in financing the country’s expanding mining industry. Seven local banks have committed CFA148 billion (approximately $260 million) to support the construction of the Doropo gold mine in the country’s northeastern Bounkani region, in a project led by Australian mining company Resolute Mining.

The financing agreements were signed on November 3, 2026, in Abidjan between Doropo Gold Mine SA, Resolute Mining’s Ivorian subsidiary, and the seven participating lenders: Banque Nationale d’Investissement (BNI), Bank of Africa (BOA), BGFI Bank, AFG Bank, NSIA Banque, Bridge Bank and Banque de l’Union (BDU).

The CFA148 billion financing package represents nearly half of the project’s estimated construction cost of $516 million. Resolute Mining plans to cover the remaining investment through its existing financial resources and cash flow from its operations.

The agreement marks a significant development for local financing of large-scale mining projects, demonstrating the capacity of Ivorian banks to jointly support major industrial investments.

Located in the Bounkani region, approximately 480 kilometres northeast of Abidjan, the Doropo project is designed as an open-pit gold mine with a processing plant capable of handling 4.9 million tonnes of fresh ore annually.

According to Resolute Mining’s feasibility study, the mine is expected to produce an average of 169,000 ounces of gold per year over an initial 13-year operating life. First gold production is targeted for 2028.

Construction is expected to create more than 1,500 jobs at its peak, while the operational phase is projected to support over 400 permanent positions.

Beyond the development of a new gold mine, the financing agreement highlights the increasing involvement of domestic financial institutions in Côte d’Ivoire’s mining industry.

By providing a substantial share of the capital required for Doropo, the seven banks are participating directly in the financing of a major extractive industry investment, while potentially creating opportunities for local businesses, suppliers and subcontractors.

For Resolute Mining, Doropo will become its first operating gold mine in Côte d’Ivoire, adding to its existing mining operations in Mali and Senegal.

The project is expected to strengthen Côte d’Ivoire’s position as a growing gold-producing country in West Africa.