Africa is the second largest gold-producing region in the world after China, and contributes about 27% of the total global production. With the increasing demand for gold as a store of value and an essential component in technical industries, the continent’s mines are emerging as economic and strategic pillars.
1- Namdini Mine – Ghana
The Namdeni mine, located in the Bolgatanga region in northeastern Ghana, is one of the most prominent modern gold mining projects in West Africa, and embodies an important economic and investment transformation for the country. It is located within the geological belt known as the Permian Gold Belt, which extends across several African countries and is considered one of the richest regions in gold.
The project is owned by the Australian company Cardinal Resources, which was later acquired by the Chinese company Shandong Gold, which reflects the expansion of Asian investments in the African mining sector. It is estimated that the mine contains reserves exceeding 5 million ounces of gold, and is expected to produce about 358 thousand ounces per year using advanced open-pit mining and processing techniques.
The project provides thousands of direct and indirect job opportunities, contributes to the development of a relatively marginalized region, and is expected to generate significant tax revenues for the Ghanaian government. In return, the company faces demands from local and international organizations for strict environmental guarantees to protect natural resources, and it has pledged to implement sustainability standards in accordance with the principles of the World Bank.
The Namdini mine strengthens Ghana’s position as a regional competitor in the gold market, alongside Mali and Burkina Faso, and is a clear example of the rise of foreign investment in Africa’s vital minerals sector.
2- Ahafo South Mine – Ghana
The Ahafo South mine in Ghana is one of the most prominent gold mines in West Africa. It is located in the Bono region and is managed by the American company Newmont.
The mine produces about 325,000 ounces of gold annually, and features advanced mining and processing techniques that contribute to raising production efficiency and reducing environmental impact.
The mine constitutes an important economic pillar for the region, provides broad job opportunities, and contributes to supporting local communities through development programs and educational and health initiatives.
The mine is part of Ghana’s strategy to strengthen its position as a major gold producer on the continent, alongside other projects in Ahafo North and the Akim region.
The mine faces sustainability and transparency challenges, and the company has committed to implementing strict environmental and community safety standards in accordance with international agreements, making it a model for responsible mining in Africa.
3- Keeping Lolo Gontoto – Mali
The Lolo Gonkoto mine in Mali is one of the largest and most important gold mines in West Africa. It is located in the Kayes region in the west of the country. It is the result of a merger between the Lolo and Gonkoto mines within a unified project managed by the Canadian company Barrick Gold, one of the largest mining companies in the world.
The mine produces more than 300,000 ounces of gold annually, contributes significantly to the financial economy, and represents about half of the country’s mineral exports.
The mine features advanced infrastructure including modern processing facilities and logistical support facilities, and employs thousands of local workers, making it a major source of economic and social development in the region.
The mine is a model of cooperation between the Malian government and international companies, and strict environmental and societal safety standards are applied. Despite the security challenges that Mali faces, the mine continues to operate thanks to special security arrangements and direct government support.
Barrick announced plans to expand exploration operations in the surrounding area, enhancing the chances of increasing production in the coming years.
The Lolo Gunkoto mine represents a strategic pillar in the African gold map, and reflects the importance of Mali as a regional center for gold production, alongside Ghana and Burkina Faso, in light of the increasing global demand for this precious metal.
4- Issakan Mine – Burkina Faso
The Isakan mine in Burkina Faso is one of the most prominent gold mining projects in the country, and is located in the eastern region near the border with Niger.
Managed by the Canadian company IAM Gold, it produces about 250,000 ounces of gold annually, making it among the largest mines in West Africa. The mine is distinguished by large reserves and advanced infrastructure that includes modern processing facilities and logistical support facilities, and has contributed to strengthening Burkina Faso’s position as one of the most prominent gold producers on the continent.
The project provides direct and indirect job opportunities for thousands of local residents, and contributes to supporting the national economy through taxes and royalties, in addition to social responsibility programs that include education, health and water.
Despite the security challenges facing the country, especially in the border areas, the mine continues to operate thanks to tight security arrangements and close cooperation with local authorities.
The company also seeks to expand exploration operations in neighboring areas, which enhances the opportunities for increasing production in the future.
The Isakan mine is a model of responsible mining in a complex environment, and reflects Burkina Faso’s ability to attract foreign investments in the mineral sector, despite the political and security challenges, and contributes to diversifying the national economy away from agriculture and foreign aid.
5- Geeta Mine – Tanzania
The Geeta Mine in Tanzania is one of the largest and most developed gold mines in East Africa, and is located in the Mwanza region in the northwest of the country. Operated by AngloGold Ashanti, one of the world’s leading mining companies, the mine produces more than 200,000 ounces of gold annually, making it a major contributor to Tanzania’s mineral exports.
The Jetta Mine features modern mining and processing technologies, including advanced filtration systems and careful environmental monitoring, and employs thousands of local workers, promoting economic and social development in the region.
The mine contributes to supporting surrounding communities through social responsibility programs that include education, healthcare and infrastructure.
The mine has received international praise for its commitment to safety and sustainability standards, and is considered a model for responsible mining in Africa. In recent years, the company has expanded exploration around the mine, enhancing the chances of increasing production in the future.
The Geeta mine forms part of Tanzania’s strategy to strengthen its position in the global gold market, along with other mines such as North Mara and Buzwagi, in light of the increasing global demand for gold as a store of value and an essential component in technical industries.
The mine reflects Tanzania’s ability to attract foreign investment and achieve a balance between economic growth and environmental preservation.
6- North Mara Mine – Tanzania
The North Mara mine in Tanzania is considered one of the most prominent gold mines in East Africa. It is located in the Mara region in the northwest of the country near Lake Victoria. It is managed by the Canadian company Barrick Gold. It produces about 180,000 ounces of gold annually, which makes it an important contributor to Tanzania’s mineral exports.
The mine features advanced infrastructure including modern processing facilities and environmental monitoring technologies, and employs a large number of local workers, contributing to improving economic and social conditions in the area.
The mine previously faced challenges related to societal and environmental conflicts, but the company has implemented comprehensive reforms to enhance transparency and apply international sustainability standards, including social responsibility programs that support education, health and water.
Barrick also launched local development initiatives in partnership with the Tanzanian authorities, which strengthened community confidence in the project.
North Mara is part of Tanzania’s strategy to expand gold production, along with mines such as Geeta and Buzwagi, in light of the growing global demand for gold as a store of value and an essential component in technical industries.
The Mponeng mine in South Africa is one of the deepest gold mines in the world. It is located in the West Wits area near the city of Carltonville, about 90 kilometers southwest of Johannesburg.
Operated by Harmony Gold, the mine reaches more than 3,891 meters underground, making it the deepest operating mine in the world.
The mine began production in 1986, and extracts gold from rich geological layers such as Ventersdorp Contact Reef and Carbon Leader Reef, where high concentrations of over 14 grams per tonne are recorded.
The mine produces about 250,000 ounces annually, and contributes a large percentage of the company’s total production. Processing operations rely on “carbon in the core” technology to recover gold, and are conducted in advanced facilities belonging to the mine.
Despite the challenges associated with working at great depths, such as heat and pressure, the mine continues to produce thanks to advanced safety technologies and expansion plans aimed at reaching deeper reserves.
The project provides ample job opportunities and contributes to supporting the local economy, and is a symbol of the ancient mining history in South Africa.
With the global trend towards gold as a store of value, Mponeng remains one of the pillars of the global gold industry, despite the operational and environmental challenges associated with its superior depth.
8- Driefontein Mine – South Africa
The Driefontein Mine is one of the oldest and largest gold mines in South Africa, and is located in the West Rand region of Gauteng Province, about 70 kilometers southwest of Johannesburg.
Founded in the 1930s, the mine is part of the famous gold belt that has placed South Africa at the forefront of global gold production. The mine is currently managed by Sibanye-Stillwater, which acquired it in a deal that included several assets from Gold Fields.
Driefontein produces about 200,000 ounces of gold annually (approximately 6,220 kilograms), despite challenges associated with aging infrastructure and high operating costs.
The mine relies on deep mining, and ores are extracted from depths exceeding 2,500 metres, requiring advanced technologies and strict safety procedures.
In recent years, the mine has undergone restructuring to improve efficiency and reduce environmental emissions, along with initiatives to support local communities through education and healthcare programmes.
Although South Africa’s gold production has declined compared to previous decades, the Driefontein mine remains a symbol of the country’s mining history and an important source of hard currency and employment opportunities.
It also represents an ongoing challenge in how to maintain the sustainability of deep mines in light of global economic and environmental changes.
The Ariab mine in Sudan is considered one of the oldest and most important gold mines in the country. It is located in the Ariab region of the Red Sea State within the Nubian Desert. It is an area rich in minerals and historically linked to mining activity since Pharaonic times.
The mine is managed by Ariab Mining Company, a leading Sudanese company founded in the 1980s, in which the Sudanese government holds a majority stake, while French and Canadian companies are among the previous partners.
The mine produces gold from several open sites, most notably the Hessay mine, and its cumulative production has reached more than 2.3 million ounces since the start of operation in 1992, making it the first commercial source of gold in Sudan.
The mine relies on modern exploration and processing techniques, and employs more than 1,400 workers, most of whom are Sudanese. It also contributes to supporting the local economy by providing job opportunities and implementing development projects in the surrounding communities.
The company plans to expand its operations to include other metals such as copper and zinc, taking advantage of the rich geological structure of the region. Despite the challenges associated with infrastructure and the harsh desert environment, the Ariab mine remains a strategic pillar in the Sudanese mining sector, and an important source of hard currency in light of the fluctuations of the national economy.
10- Semafo Mine – Guinea
The Semafo mine in Guinea, known as the Kinyero mine, is one of the prominent gold projects in West Africa, although it has been out of production since 2014.
The mine was previously operated by Canadian company SEMAFO, which later merged with Endeavor Mining, and is located in the Kankan region in the east of the country.
Semafo is one of the first industrial mines in Guinea, and has contributed to strengthening the country’s position as a promising source of gold on the continent.
After years of cessation, the Canadian company Robex Resources announced plans to restart the mine by 2025, after it acquired it and began developing its infrastructure and expanding the scope of exploration, especially in the neighboring Mansonia region.
It is estimated that the extracted resources in the mine have increased by 169%, which reflects promising potential for future production, and the project is expected to contribute to providing new job opportunities and revitalizing the local economy, in addition to enhancing Guinean gold exports.
The company plans to implement modern standards in safety and environmental sustainability in line with global trends in the mining sector.
The Semafo mine represents a model of the transformation of retired mines into strategic assets, and reflects Guinea’s ability to attract foreign investment in the vital minerals sector.
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