• Eramet targets gradual restart of Grande Côte mine after February fire

• Output and revenue fell sharply in the first quarter

• 2026 production forecast suspended pending updated estimates

Eramet’s Grande Côte mineral sands mine in Senegal is moving toward a gradual restart of operations from the end of April, just weeks after its suspension.

The French mining group confirmed this timeline in its first-quarter financial report published on April 23, noting that repair work is still ongoing at the site.

Operations were temporarily halted in February following a fire at the wet concentration plant (WCP), a key stage in the production process where heavy minerals are separated from extracted sand. While the assessment of the damage is still ongoing, the group said it is simultaneously working on temporary solutions to restart this unit and supply it using certain equipment available on site. This transitional phase is expected to precede a full resumption of operations.

While the prospect of a gradual restart marks progress, uncertainty remains about the long-term impact of the disruption on the mine’s performance. In the short term, the effects are already visible. Output of mineral sands fell by 49% in the first quarter, while revenue from the complex declined by 42% to €39 million ($45.5 million). The site produces ilmenite, rutile, leucoxene, and zircon—materials that are essential for construction and related industries.

At this stage, the initial production forecast of 900,000 tons of mineral sands concentrate for 2026 has been suspended, with updated estimates expected in the coming weeks.

The mine remains one of the key players in Senegal’s mining sector, with a reported contribution of CFA122 billion ($218 million) in 2024.

Aurel Sèdjro Houenou