Montage Gold pours first gold at Côte d’Ivoire’s Koné mine ahead of schedule

Canadian mining company Montage Gold has produced its first gold at the Koné mine in northern Côte d’Ivoire, reaching a key milestone ahead of its initial schedule.

The first gold pour took place on Sept. 26, producing approximately 1,140 ounces, according to the company. Construction of the mine began in December 2024, with the first pour initially scheduled for the second quarter of 2027.

More than 400,000 tonnes of ore had been processed since ore was introduced into the mine’s oxide circuit on Sept. 8. Montage said the early completion of the oxide circuit enabled production to begin ahead of the original timetable.

The oxide circuit is expected to reach commercial production in the fourth quarter of 2026. A separate hard-rock comminution circuit remains under construction and is scheduled for completion in the second quarter of 2027.

The project has also generated employment during its construction phase. Montage said about 3,600 jobs have been created, with more than 95% held by Ivorian nationals. Once fully operational, the mine is expected to create about 1,500 permanent jobs.

According to Montage’s 2024 updated feasibility study, the Koné mine has probable reserves of about 4.01 million ounces of gold and an estimated mine life of 16 years. The project is expected to produce more than 300,000 ounces annually during its first eight years.

Montage is continuing exploration at the site, with more than 130,000 metres of drilling planned for 2026. The company expects to release an updated life-of-mine plan alongside its year-end reserves and resources.

The first pour marks the beginning of the mine’s production phase, while the company continues work toward full commercial operations at Koné.