Resolute discovered two new gold deposits near Senegal’s Mako mine totaling 266,000 ounces (about 8 tonnes).

These satellites—Bantaco West and South—could extend Mako’s mine life by 5 to 10 years beyond its expected 2027 closure.

The company is working to upgrade these inferred resources and obtain mining permits while current production continues.

In addition to its Syama gold mine in Mali, Australian-based Resolute Mining also runs the Mako mine in Senegal. Although Mako is expected to reach the end of its operational life by 2027, the company is actively exploring nearby areas to extend its lifespan.
 On July 24, Resolute Mining announced the discovery of two new gold deposits—Bantaco West and Bantaco South—located near the Mako site. Together, they contain an estimated inferred mineral resource of 266,000 ounces, or roughly 8 tonnes of gold.

⛏️Initial Mineral Resource at the Bantaco Project in Senegal⛏️

Our Managing Director and CEO, Chris Eger, commented: “The Bantaco Project is key to the extension of Mako and has the possibility to be developed ahead of Tomboronkoto”https://t.co/4NsW8Qb5Xu pic.twitter.com/xl0zaK55wD

— Resolute Mining (@ResoluteMining) July 24, 2025

In mid-2024, Resolute Mining began drilling at two promising new sites near its Mako mine in Senegal—Bantaco West and Bantaco South. After 8,000 meters of diamond drilling, the results are in: Bantaco West holds 179,000 ounces of gold, and Bantaco South holds 87,000 ounces, based on over 2 million tonnes of ore with an average grade of 1.2 grams per tonne.

These discoveries could breathe new life into the Mako mine, which is currently winding down and projected to close by 2027. Located just 20 kilometers from the Mako plant, the new sites would serve as satellite deposits—similar to Tomboronkoto, another nearby find. Together, the three zones may contain around 600,000 ounces of gold.

Resolute believes this could mean five to ten extra years of production. But first, the company must take key steps: upgrading the resource estimates and securing regulatory approval for mining.

Resolute is pressing ahead with exploration near the Mako mine, targeting both resource upgrades and fresh discoveries. Production is expected to drop slightly in 2025, with a forecast of up to 90,000 ounces, following a stronger 2024 output of 123,935 ounces. Ownership remains split, with Resolute controlling 90% of the asset and the Senegalese government holding the remaining 10%.

Aurel Sèdjro Houenou