Endeavour Mining has secured the essential environmental permit from the Ivorian Ministry of the Environment, Sustainable Development, and Ecological Transition for its major Assafo-Dibibango gold project.
Located in the Tanda Department in northeastern Côte d’Ivoire, this large-scale project is projected to produce an average of 330,000 ounces of gold per year over its first ten years of operation.
The environmental permit grants the final necessary authorizations for the development of the gold project. It officially endorses the comprehensive Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA), which was submitted in 2025.
The ESIA process is an essential analytical tool used to assess a project’s potential effects on the natural and social environment before implementation. It ensures that all impacts are identified, evaluated, and mitigated, while also enhancing positive opportunities for the local community.
The assessment, conducted by the accredited independent firm Côte d’Ivoire Enval (CI ENVAL), was overseen by the National Environment Agency. Following a thorough review, the ESIA was approved by a multidisciplinary, inter-ministerial commission on July 30, 2025. This commission included representatives from the Ivorian Anti-Pollution Center, prefects, sub-prefects, and representatives from local communities, ensuring a broad consultation phase. The final ministerial decree approving the ESIA was signed on September 30, 2025.
This environmental approval is a significant step toward obtaining the final mining permit from the Directorate General of Mines and Geology. The project’s Pre-Feasibility Study (PFS), published in December 2024, confirmed the strong potential of the Assafo-Dibibango site.
The project is expected to become a key asset within Endeavour’s portfolio. Its design classifies it as a large-scale, low-cost, long-life operation, expected to rank in the lowest cost quartile in the global gold industry.
Endeavour Mining is a leading global gold producer and holds the title of the largest gold producer in West Africa, with active operations across Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire, and Burkina Faso.
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