Montage Gold (TSX:MAU) has reported its first gold pour at the Koné mine in Côte d’Ivoire, achieving this milestone both on-budget and ahead of schedule.
Montage began construction in December 2024, with first gold achieved on 26 September 2026. Production yielded around 1,140 ounces of gold.
The company notes that over 400,000 tonnes of ore have been processed since it was introduced into the oxide circuit on 8 September 2026.
The oxide circuit is expected to reach commercial production in Q4 2026, with construction of the hard-rock comminution circuit on track for completion in Q2 2027.
CEO Martino De Ciccio says that the company is ‘thrilled’ to have achieved first production.
“It marks a significant milestone in the rapid execution of our strategy of creating a premier multi-asset African gold producer,” De Ciccio says.
“Koné is now the ninth operating gold mine in Côte d’Ivoire and posed to deliver strong benefits for all stakeholders, with approximately 3,600 direct jobs created to date, over 95% of which are nationals, and many more indirectly created.”
Koné has probable reserves of 4.01 million ounces (Moz) @ 0.72 grams per tonne gold (Au), comprising 3.52Moz @ 0.67g/t Au and 0.49Moz @ 1.43g/t Au at the Koné and Gbongogo Main deposits, respectively.
Montage also has an exploration program covering over 130,000m of drilling at Koné for 2026, focused on discovering higher-grade satellite deposits in order to boost production.
The company expects to publish an updated life of mine plan for Koné, along with year-end reserves and resources.
Montage Gold is focused on becoming a multi-asset African gold producer, with the flagship Koné mine at the forefront.
Write to Amy Rotman at Mining.com.au
Main image: Montage Gold
