• PROJECTS AND EXPLORATION
According to Montage Gold Corporation, exploration remains a strong focus at Koné with another initial 90 000m drill programme launched for 2026, in addition to 9 000m of drilling planned for the recently awarded Wendé advanced greenfield property
A total of over 7.2 million construction hours have been worked since the commencement of the project, with key milestones achieved, including the erection of all 14 CIL tanks, piperack and grid mesh walkways, completion of the oxide sizer and the delivery of the ball mill to the site. Given the strong advancement, the first gold pour is anticipated in late Q4-2026 through an oxide circuit startup, whilst the hard-rock comminution circuit remains well on track for completion in Q2-2027. A total of approximately USD545- million of capital has been committed to date, representing approximately 63 % of the total upfront capital expenditure, with prices in line with expectations.
A total of approximately USD545-million of capital has been committed to date, representing approximately 63 % of the total upfront capital expenditure, with prices in line with expectations.
In parallel, the company continues to be focused on unlocking value through its exploration programme with approximately 115 000m drilled in 2025, compared to its initial budget of 90 000m, in addition to 56 000m of pre-production drilling conducted at the Koné and Gbongogo Main deposits. Based on the drilling completed last year, the company expects to publish updated Mineral Resource Estimates in Q1 – 2026 for several satellite targets, in addition to updated resources for the Koné and Gbongogo Main deposits, along with the results of the pre-production drilling programme, which confirmed both the grade and continuity of the mineralised envelopes and identified high-grade zones. Following on from last year’ s success, the company recently launched an initial USD16-million drill programme for 2026, comprising 90 000m of drilling at the Koné project and 9 000m for the recently awarded Wendé advanced greenfield property.
Martino De Ciccio, CEO of Montage, commented:“ We are pleased with the momentum generated thus far to advance our strategy of creating a premier multi-asset African gold producer and delivering value for all our stakeholders. Construction at our flagship Koné project in Côte d’ Ivoire continues to progress at a rapid pace with several key milestones achieved, including completion of the oxide sizer and delivery of the ball mill shell on site, which positions us to target a first gold pour through an oxide circuit start-up in late Q4 – 2026. Moreover, we are continuing to enjoy significant exploration success at the Koné project, given the discovery of higher-grade satellites, notably the Petit Yao discovery announced late last year.”
Looking ahead, he said the company was also pleased to be consolidating a project pipeline through the acquisition of African Gold, where recently published drill results continue to confirm the prospectivity of the Didievi project in Côte d’ Ivoire.
“ We are also excited to commence drilling this year at our newly awarded Wendé advanced greenfield property in Côte d’ Ivoire to source the next project through our ability to stake prospective grounds and explore. I’ d like to take this opportunity to thank our employees, contractors, financiers, local stakeholders, and wider partners for their strong dedication and support as we continue to deliver on our collective goals,” said Ciccio.
Peder Olsen, president and Chief Development Officer of Montage, commented:“ Construction activities at our Koné project continue to progress at a rapid pace, with more than 7.2 million hours worked to date and several key milestones achieved several months early. Notable progress includes the completion of the oxide sizer, the erection of 14 CIL tanks and significant progress on the installation of structural steel and piperacks, the commencement of pipework installation, as well as significant progress on the TSF, with the dam wall completed 3 months ahead of schedule, construction and internal fit out of the 225kV substation and assembly of transmission line towers.”
He said the delivery of the ball mill shell on site marks a critical milestone for the company’ s journey and, together with its construction achievements, positions the company to target the first gold pour through an oxide circuit start-up in late Q4-2026. Concurrently, they continue to make rapid progress on the hardrock comminution circuit, which remains on budget and well on schedule for completion in Q2-2027. •
Source: supplied by Montage Gold Corporation
The company recently launched an initial USD16- million drill programme for 2026, comprising 90 000 metres of drilling at the Koné project and 9 000 metres for the recently awarded Wendé advanced greenfield property.
14 • African Mining • April 2026 www. africanmining. co. za