Australian gold producer Resolute Mining has approved a US$516 million investment to develop the Doropo gold project in northern Côte d’Ivoire, the company said, paving the way for construction of a new mine that could significantly boost its output in West Africa.
The company said it had taken a final investment decision to proceed with the Doropo project, clearing the path for construction to begin in the first half of 2026.
The mine is expected to produce an average of about 169,000 ounces of gold annually over an estimated 13-year operating life.
The development forms part of Resolute’s strategy to expand its presence in West Africa, where the company already operates two producing mines.
Resolute acquired the Doropo project from AngloGold Ashanti in 2025 and has since completed technical studies and secured the necessary regulatory approvals to move forward with development.
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According to the company, the government of Côte d’Ivoire granted the mining permit for the project in early February, allowing construction plans to proceed.
Total development costs are estimated at around $516 million, with an initial construction budget of between $170 million and $190 million allocated for the first year of work.
Resolute said it plans to fund the early phase of the project using its net cash position of about $209 million while continuing to explore additional financing options depending on market conditions.
Once operational, the Doropo mine is expected to become a major contributor to the company’s production growth plans.
Resolute currently operates the Syama gold mine in Mali and the Mako mine in Senegal, which together produced 277,236 ounces of gold last year.
With the addition of Doropo, the company aims to nearly double its annual production capacity to about 500,000 ounces by 2028.
“This final investment decision represents an important step in our growth strategy,” said Chris Eger, chief executive of Resolute Mining.
He said the decision reflects the company’s confidence in the technical viability of the project and the operating environment in Côte d’Ivoire.
The Doropo project is also expected to contribute to the expansion of Côte d’Ivoire’s mining sector, which has grown rapidly in recent years as the government seeks to attract investment in mineral resources.
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Gold has become one of the country’s most important export commodities, with authorities aiming to significantly increase national output over the coming decade.
According to government projections, Ivorian gold production could reach about 100 tonnes within the next ten years, compared with around 58 tonnes recorded in 2024.
The Doropo mine is expected to complement other major gold developments currently underway in the country.
These include the Koné project being developed by Montage Gold and the Assafou project led by Endeavour Mining.
Industry analysts say the expansion of gold mining projects could boost export revenues, government royalties and employment while strengthening the country’s role as one of West Africa’s leading gold producers.
For Resolute, the Doropo development represents the company’s potential third operating mine in the region, reinforcing its focus on African gold assets.
Beyond Doropo, the company is also advancing exploration activities in Côte d’Ivoire through its ABC and La Debo projects.
Resolute said it is conducting economic studies on the assets to determine whether they could support future mining operations.
While construction preparations move forward, the company faces the challenge of delivering the project on schedule and securing additional financing if required.
Rising global gold prices in recent months could support fundraising efforts and improve the project’s economics, analysts say.
If completed as planned, the Doropo mine would mark another step in Côte d’Ivoire’s emergence as a major gold investment destination in West Africa while supporting Resolute’s ambition to become a larger diversified gold producer.
