GlobalData: West Africa gold output to grow 2.7% in 2021
Published by Jessica Casey,
Editor
Global Mining Review,
After strong growth in 2019, West Africa’s gold production was badly hit by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, owing to the temporary suspension of mines such as Hounde in Burkina Faso and Fekola in Mali. The pandemic had a significant impact on African operations, mainly during the early part of the second quarter of 2020, when, at one point, over 25% of the region’s gold mines were on hold due to COVID-19 lockdowns, reports GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.
Gold production in West Africa’s leading markets – Ghana, Burkina Faso and Mali – is expected to increase by 2.7% in 2021 to 8 million oz and grow to 8.4 million oz by 2024 – a 1.6% compound annual growth rate (CAGR). The majority of this growth is expected to originate from Ghana, where the production is expected to reach 3.9 million oz in 2024 from a forecasted 3.6 million oz in 2021.
Vinneth Bajaj, Associate Project Manager at GlobalData, commented: “South Africa was particularly affected by the COVID-19 lockdowns, with operations at 35 gold mines temporarily suspended out of 56 on hold in the region.”
Although production in Ghana fell by 7.5% in 2020, the country experienced only a minimal impact on gold mining activities. It was among the first few countries to resume operations post a 21-day mandatory lockdown across the major metropolitan cities announced during March 2020.
Production in Mali fell by 5.6% in 2020, owing to the COVID-19 operational disruptions across several mines, including the closure of the Morila and Sadiola mines. The country initially continued business activities, despite the outbreak. However, in December 2020, the government imposed a lockdown for 10 days, on the grounds of new COVID-19 cases.
In contrast, production in Burkina Faso is estimated to have grown by 2.1% in 2020 to 1 941 800 oz. The growth was mainly supported by higher output from the Mana Gold, Karma and Hounde mines with 36.3%, 3.1% and 6.3% growth, respectively. Furthermore, the commencement of the Wahgnion Gold project in 2019 and the Sanbrado Gold project in 2020 contributed towards higher output in 2020. Gold production in Burkina Faso is expected to grow at a CAGR of 3.8%, supported by 460 000 oz of new gold production capacity.
Bajaj adds: “AngloGold’s Obuasi redevelopment project will be a key boost to production in West Africa in 2021. The first phase has already been completed and the momentum of the second phase was maintained despite COVID-19 challenges. The project is expected to contribute up to 200 000 oz of gold production capacity and is anticipated to begin in 2021.
“A total of 12 projects are currently under development across Ghana, Burkina Faso and Mali, which are expected to be operational by 2024, representing more than 1 500 000 oz of gold production capacity. These include the Bombore and Kiaka in Burkina Faso, Obuasi Phase 2 in Ghana and Kobada in Mali,” added Bajaj.
Read the article online at: https://www.globalminingreview.com/special-reports/19022021/globaldata-west-africa-gold-output-to-grow-27-in-2021/
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