Côte d’Ivoire: $45 million compensation package secured for communities affected by major gold project
AFG Bank Côte d’Ivoire and Endeavour Mining have signed an agreement to secure the payment of more than 28 billion CFA francs ($45 million) in compensation to communities affected by the planned Assafou-Dibibango gold project in eastern Côte d’Ivoire.
More than 1,150 people affected by the development are expected to benefit from the compensation programme.
The agreement is designed to make the payment process more secure and traceable, with AFG Bank expected to establish dedicated bank accounts for beneficiaries.
The Assafou-Dibibango project, located on the Tanda-Iguela property, is being developed by Endeavour Mining and is emerging as one of the company’s most significant growth projects in West Africa.
A definitive feasibility study published in April projects a 16-year mine life, with proven and probable reserves of about 4.4 million ounces of gold. Production is expected to average around 320,000 ounces a year during the first eight years of operations.
The project requires an estimated $1.06 billion in initial capital and is designed around a processing plant capable of treating 5 million tonnes of ore per year.
Endeavour has described Assafou as a potential cornerstone asset for the company and says a final investment decision is targeted before the end of 2026. Construction would then take an estimated 24 to 30 months.
The compensation agreement represents a critical step as Côte d’Ivoire seeks to expand its gold industry while addressing the social and economic impact of mining development on local communities.
For the more than 1,150 affected people, the immediate issue is ensuring that compensation is delivered transparently and securely. For Endeavour and the Ivorian authorities, the process will be closely watched as the country moves toward the development of what could become a major new gold mine.
If completed as planned, Assafou could significantly strengthen Côte d’Ivoire’s position as one of West Africa’s leading gold-producing countries.
