According to Mining News Pro - Tongon is now in its 10th year of operations, and on current reserves, has under three years of life left, but Barrick hopes to extend it by converting near-mine resources to reserves, exploring the potential of satellite deposits and probing targets along the Badenou trend in the Tongon lease area.

Bristow said Randgold Resources, since merged with Barrick, has been involved in Côte d’Ivoire for more than 20 years, spending in excess of $90 million on exploration.  

Bristow said the success of the company’s exploration program depends on the government’s support in the processing of applications and facilitating access to permits.