West Africa is said to be one of the world's fastest-growing regions in terms of gold production and is currently the source of around half the gold produced in Africa, with approximately a dozen new projects built in the last few years. In this feature, we examine why this region is so attractive to gold producers and prospectors alike.
In 2011, West Africa became the hub of African gold mining when the region’s total production of gold overtook that of South Africa. While gold mine production has been declining throughout the world, West African gold production has been growing, according to research and consultancy group Wood Mackenzie.
Yves Koudou, audit manager at BDO Francophone West Africa, ascribes this in part to the region’s significant mining resources, especially in terms of gold. He says these resources are still under-explored, which provides a catalyst for strong interest from the international mining community.
