Montage Gold has achieved its first gold pour at the Koné project in Côte d’Ivoire, marking the start of production at one of the country’s newest mines. The Canadian-listed company, led by Martino De Ciccio, said construction was completed safely, on budget and ahead of schedule.

The milestone makes Koné the ninth operating gold mine in Côte d’Ivoire and advances Montage’s plan to build a multi-asset African gold producer. The company said it will now focus on growing its development pipeline, with the Didievi project in Côte d’Ivoire identified as its next potential development asset.

Koné moves into production

Montage said the Koné project has an estimated 16-year mine life and is designed to produce more than 300,000 ounces of gold annually during its first eight years. The figures are based on the company’s 2024 updated feasibility study covering the Koné and Gbongogo deposits.

Several additional deposits delineated in early 2025 are being advanced, creating scope for further development around the project. Montage has described Koné as one of the largest gold projects under construction globally based on its planned annual production and mine life.

The project has undergone rapid development since Montage expanded its executive leadership team in 2024, with the company reporting several key derisking milestones. The first gold pour comes ahead of the production timeline outlined in the 2024 feasibility study, which had targeted the second quarter of 2027.

Exploration supports expansion

Montage said it is pursuing construction and exploration in parallel as it seeks to expand its asset base. The company said the strategy is intended to unlock additional value from Koné while advancing new discoveries and development opportunities across its portfolio.

The company credited its employees, local stakeholders, financiers, suppliers and contractors for helping deliver the project milestone. With Koné now moving into production, attention is turning to further resource growth and the advancement of Didievi as Montage works to build a larger African gold portfolio.