Between 2021 and 2025, the mining giant Endeavour Mining has played a transformative role in the Ivorian economic landscape, contributing a staggering 1,710 billion FCFA. According to the group’s inaugural country impact report for Côte d’Ivoire, titled “Creating Tangible Value,” approximately 644 billion FCFA of this total was paid directly to the State through various taxes, royalties, and dividends.
Presented during a ceremony at the company’s headquarters in Cocody, the report details the extensive socio-economic footprints of the Ity and Lafigué mines. These operations have focused on driving national prosperity, fostering community growth, and ensuring environmental stewardship.
A catalyst for sustainable development
Laetitia Gadegbeku-Ouattara, Vice President of Public Affairs and Country Director for Endeavour in Côte d’Ivoire, emphasized that gold mining has become a cornerstone of sustainable progress over the last five years. The financial breakdown reveals that out of the 644 billion FCFA provided to the government, 398 billion FCFA came from corporate taxes, 149 billion FCFA from royalties, and 97 billion FCFA from dividends. Furthermore, the company prioritized local trade by spending 904 billion FCFA on domestic suppliers.
The company’s workforce reflects its commitment to local integration, employing over 1,350 individuals, with 94% being Ivorian nationals. By collaborating with 4,390 contractors and more than 600 local vendors, the group has established itself as the leading gold producer and a primary contributor to the nation’s public revenue.
Advancing healthcare and education
Health initiatives spearheaded by the mining group and its foundation have reached more than 120,000 people. These efforts include prevention programs, screenings, and expanded medical access. Notable achievements include health caravans that provided free consultations to nearly 4,000 residents and specialized surgeries for 64 cataract patients. In Zouan-Hounien, health officials have praised the partnership for its vital support in combating malaria near the Ity mine site.
In the realm of education, the impact is equally significant:
- Over 4,000 young people benefited from academic programs.
- 842 students completed professional internships.
- Flagship initiatives like “Elites of Tomorrow” and “Golden Nuggets” focused on human capital development.
Infrastructure and community empowerment
A substantial investment of 2.8 billion FCFA was directed toward community infrastructure. This funding supported 71 projects for clean water access, the rehabilitation of 16 vital roads serving 360,000 people, and 10 rural electrification schemes. To boost youth employability, the company also facilitated the issuance of 1,000 driver’s licenses.
Economic empowerment initiatives reached over 3,000 individuals, primarily women and youth, through 284 income-generating projects funded with 487 million FCFA. In Lafigué, the “N’Goto Yetehe” program successfully trained 63 young people in various technical trades.
Environmental stewardship and sustainability
Endeavour Mining has also prioritized environmental restoration, planting over 158,000 trees and rehabilitating 199 hectares of land. Collaborative projects with SODEFOR led to the restoration of 125 hectares of protected forests. Furthermore, the “Towards Zero Plastic” strategy successfully eliminated 1.3 million single-use plastic bottles, representing a 99% reduction in just three years.
As a leading global gold producer and the top operator in West Africa, the group continues to develop projects across the Birimian belt, with active mines in Sénégal, Côte d’Ivoire, and Burkina Faso. The company remains listed on the London and Toronto stock exchanges.