By: Ecofin agency

Mineral resources at the Afema project in Côte d'Ivoire now total 4.06 million ounces, according to an operational update released by its Australian operator, Turaco Gold, this Thursday, October 30. This estimate translates to a 14% increase compared to the 3.55 million ounces of resources previously attributed to the asset.

In detail, this update incorporates the discoveries at Begnopan and Toilesso, two new project deposits. This figure includes additional resources discovered at Asupiri, which, along with Woulo Woulo, Jonction, and Anuiri, formed the Afema deposits before this new estimation. The recorded advancements highlight a global increase of 500,000 ounces of additional gold resources.

The company already anticipates a new resource update for Afema in the first quarter of 2026. This achievement will rely on ongoing drilling at the Woulo Woulo and Anuiri deposits, as well as other "emerging deposits." The new resource estimate will also serve as the basis for a Pre-Feasibility Study (PFS) that Turaco plans to finalize in the second quarter of next year. This document must notably contain the first economic indicators of a potential gold mine at Afema.

This progress opens the way for more advanced project planning, with potential supplementary studies justifying the effective viability of such a project. Meanwhile, Afema is not the only gold project at this stage of development in Côte d'Ivoire. Boundiali, a 2.41 million-ounce project operated by Aurum Resources, is also undergoing a Pre-Feasibility Study.