Following the first gold pour at West Africa-focused gold major Endeavour Mining’s Sabodala-Massawa BIOX Expansion project, in Senegal, the miner achieved commercial production of gold at the project on August 1.

On the same day, the miner also reported its entering of commercial production of gold at its Lafigué mine in Côte d’Ivoire.

Both projects have been completed on budget and according to schedule, with the full ramp-up to nameplate capacity currently underway.

Endeavour has also announced that its organic growth phase has been completed, thereby improving the quality of its portfolio and underpinning the transition to a phase focused on free cash flow generation.

“We are pleased to have achieved commercial production at both of our organic growth projects, fully derisking construction and ramp-up activities,” says Endeavour Mining CEO Ian Cockerill.

He adds that both projects will drive stronger operating performance in the second half of the year, underpinning Endeavour’s group production guidance, while adding low-cost production, extending mine life visibility and increasing the geographic diversification of the portfolio.

The Sabodala-Massawa BIOX Expansion achieved commercial production less than four months after its first gold pour from its gravity circuit on April 18 and its first gold pour from the BIOX circuit on April 28.

All circuits are operating in line with expectations and during July and August combined, 160 000 t of ore was processed at a grade of 2.8 g/t gold.

Processing rates exceeded 2 580 t/d, equal to 80% of nameplate capacity, and plant availability was above 94%.

Average metallurgical recoveries were above 72% as the miner processed lower grade transitional ore during the ramp-up, while mining activities have now advanced into fresh ore in the Massawa Central Zone, supporting higher grades and higher recovery rates for the remainder of the year.

During July and August, throughput rates, plant availability and recovery rates consistently exceeded the miner’s commercial production criteria for a period of at least 30 days and all major capital expenditure has been completed with the project’s construction team having now largely demobilised, completing the successful handover to the operation’s team.

Lafigue Mine

The Lafigué processing plant achieved its first gold pour on June 28 and commercial production was achieved on August 1, about one month after the first gold pour.

All circuits are operating in line with expectations and during August, 241 000 t of ore was processed at a grade of 1.8 g/t gold.

Processing rates exceeded 7 700 t/d, equal to 72% of nameplate capacity and overall plant availability was above 87%, with average gold recovery rates above 95%.

During July and August, the throughput rate, plant availability and recovery rates exceeded the commercial production criteria for a period of at least 30 days and the project’s construction team completed the handover to the operation’s team.

“The completion of this phase of growth is a significant milestone for Endeavour,” enthuses Cockerill, adding that with its higher quality portfolio, Endeavour will transition to a phase supporting enhanced shareholder returns, through additional supplemental returns, while the miner simultaneously reduces its leverage, as it continues to execute its strategy.

Going forward, Endeavour will also transition to focus on its asset level optimisation initiatives and technical studies, ahead of its next growth phase, with the construction of the potential Tier 1 Assafou project, in Cote d’Ivoire, from 2026.