Copper–Nickel: Ivanhoe Electric Plans to Accelerate Its Investments in Côte d’Ivoire in 2026

Long associated mainly with its gold potential, Côte d’Ivoire’s subsoil also contains other strategic minerals. Copper and nickel are among them, with the Samapleu–Grata project, led by mining group Ivanhoe Electric, at the center of attention.

In Côte d’Ivoire, Ivanhoe Electric — a mining company listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and backed by Canadian-American billionaire Robert Friedland — plans to continue investing in copper and nickel exploration at the Samapleu–Grata project in 2026. The information was reported on Wednesday, February 4, by its partner Sama Resources, which announced a new campaign aimed at “demonstrating the project’s district-scale potential.”

The Samapleu–Grata project is operated through a joint venture owned 60% by Ivanhoe Electric and 40% by Sama Resources. According to a Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) published in 2024, the project shows a potential output of 887,414 tonnes of nickel concentrate and 621,888 tonnes of copper concentrate over an estimated mine life of 16.1 years. While these volumes remain modest compared with some major mining projects on the continent, the two partners now intend to expand the project’s footprint to strengthen its overall potential.

This ambition is reflected in the newly announced exploration program. Scheduled to begin in February, it includes 4,500 meters of diamond drilling across about twenty high-priority targets covering the entire project area. The objective is to assess the broader mineral potential and extend the Samapleu–Grata mineralization beyond the area currently covered by the PEA, which only focuses on a limited portion of the project.

At this stage, the total budget for the operations has not been disclosed. Ivanhoe Electric has already invested 25 million Canadian dollars (approximately USD 18.2 million) to acquire its current stake in the project, in line with the terms of the joint venture agreement signed with Sama Resources.

A Mine in Planning in Côte d’Ivoire

The success of this exploration campaign could be decisive for the future of Samapleu–Grata. It may serve as a basis for increasing the already identified copper and nickel potential at the site and, more broadly, for optimizing the production capacity of a future mine. In anticipation of this key stage, project promoters have already launched environmental studies aimed at securing the permits required to begin construction when conditions are met.

“The 2026 exploration program is a crucial step toward fully unlocking the potential of the 879 km² district and builds on the success of our 2025 exploration campaign. With several high-quality targets still untested […], we are deploying a focused regional exploration strategy aimed at new high-grade polymetallic discoveries across our extensive land package. Importantly, this program also advances baseline environmental and social studies needed to position the project for long-term development and permitting,” explained Marc-Antoine Audet, President of Sama Resources.

For Ivanhoe Electric, whose asset portfolio extends to the United States, progress at Samapleu–Grata is strategically important. The group is seeking to identify new deposits of critical metals for electric technologies, with copper at the forefront. A successful outcome in Côte d’Ivoire would also represent another African success for Robert Friedland, who is already highly active on the continent through Ivanhoe Mines, his other company operating several major assets, including Kamoa–Kakula, Africa’s largest copper mine.

Beyond its 60% stake in Samapleu–Grata, Ivanhoe Electric also holds 22.7% of Sama Resources’ share capital. At this stage, however, no full acquisition or merger has been announced. For Côte d’Ivoire, new successes at Samapleu–Grata could further strengthen prospects for scaling up production of the targeted metals. Although the country’s mining sector remains largely dominated by gold, it has recorded an average annual nickel production growth rate of 36.7% between 2017 and 2023.

The momentum surrounding the project also fits within the broader global race for critical minerals, particularly among Western powers seeking alternative supply sources outside China. For now, however, Samapleu–Grata remains at an earlier stage, with priority placed on proving sufficient potential for the commercial exploitation of copper and nickel.