Gold analysis becomes key industry in Côte d'Ivoire

New gold mines and the search for gold deposits in Côte d'Ivoire have boosted the demand for gold analysis services. On October 15, Capital Limited launched its subsidiary MSALABS at the Koné gold mine, with another facility in Korhogo set to start receiving samples by year-end. This reflects the growing need for accurate analysis to guide mining decisions.

MSALABS supports mining operations

Canadian company Montage Gold has signed a five-year contract with MSALABS to build and operate a laboratory at its Koné site. This ensures that Montage can quickly analyze gold samples, which helps determine where to drill and which ore to process. Knowing the concentration of gold in rock samples is essential for deciding whether a deposit is worth mining.

Gold analysis drives business growth

MSALABS reported a global turnover of 73.5 million USD in 2025, a 68.2% increase from the previous year. The company expects this to grow further in 2026, reaching between 85 and 95 million USD. This growth is linked to the rising demand for analysis services in the Ivorian gold sector, which has expanded significantly in recent years.

International players strengthen presence

The surge in Côte d'Ivoire's gold production, which has nearly quintupled since 2012, has attracted other global players. In 2022, SGS opened a commercial laboratory in Yamoussoukro, offering gold analysis. Bureau Veritas also has a mining lab in Abidjan, working with Montage and sending some samples to MSALABS for re-analysis.

National labs gain international recognition

The Ivorian government is supporting local expertise in gold analysis. In 2023, the Société pour le développement minier de la Côte d'Ivoire (SODEMI) laboratory in Abidjan received ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation, a global standard for technical competence. This helps local labs gain international credibility and supports the government’s goal of using national expertise in mining.

Efforts to include artisan miners

The Minister of Mines, Mamadou Sangafowa-Coulibaly, hopes mining companies will use local labs more frequently. In 2026, SODEMI introduced its services to artisan miners as part of an initiative to help them professionalize their operations and improve their access to reliable analysis.

Challenges from international competition

Despite growth, MSALABS faced challenges in 2024 due to delays in a major American contract and lower-than-expected use of commercial labs. To thrive, Ivorian labs must attract regular clients to fully utilize their facilities, as local competition is limited and demand is spread across multiple players.

Local labs aim to replace foreign services

In 2025, Awalé Resources described a process where samples are sent to Ghana and Ireland for analysis. Ivorian labs are working to capture this work by offering competitive prices, technical capabilities, and fast turnaround times. Success will depend on convincing mining companies to trust local services for these critical analyses.