Could you describe GEOREC and the services you offer in West and Central Africa?

GEOREC stands for Geosciences Research and Consulting. We are a consulting company in the field of geology, exploration and mining. GEOREC is established in Côte d'Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Mali, Guinea and CAR. We work from obtaining permits, through exploration work, right up to the discovery of a mine. Currently, we are supervising exploration and grade control work on the BISSA GOLD mines in Burkina Faso, as well as carrying out exploration work for several mining companies in Côte d'Ivoire, including Kenorland Minerals Africa, CAREM, Global Mineraie, and others.

Holder of a PhD in Earth Sciences and Mining Resources, a senior geologist. I have been involved in the development of several mining projects, including the Agbaou gold deposit and Mont Klahoyo iron deposit (Côte d'Ivoire), Youga gold mine, and Tambao manganese deposit (Burkina), Baniaka iron deposit (Gabon), etc. GEOREC is an innovative, fast-growing company, and a benchmark consultancy in West Africa. We are expanding into Central Africa with the opening of an office in CAR.

What are the reasons behind your expansion in Central Africa?

First of all, scientific curiosity! The CAR is a country where everything needs to be done from a geological point of view. We can help draw up attractive mining legislation, carry out geological mapping, and assist mining companies in acquiring and developing mining projects. The idea is to be one step ahead. The country abounds in enormous natural resources, and we can be like a gateway for companies.

What does the demand for your services look like?

In Côte d'Ivoire and Burkina Faso, as in other countries, we mainly work on exploration and mining projects. We also do auger drilling, carry out mining project audits, auditing of electrification projects, and so on. In Côte d'Ivoire a mining boom is underway, so more than 60% of the country's perimeters are under tenement request. For lithium we are seeing an increase in applications for exploration permits in Issia, Agboville, and other regions.

What is your approach to the use of drones?

Airborne and ground-based geophysical surveys have been used for a long time, but the real change has come with the use of drones. We use drones to cover large areas as well as zones impacted by illegal activity. The drone can fly at lower altitudes and take photographs of the whole area in just a few hours.

What are Côte d'Ivoire's advantages in West Africa?

Côte d'Ivoire takes advantage on several levels: Geologically, the country holds the largest share of the West African Birimian (35%) and is crossed by shear zones bearing gold occurrences in the neighboring countries. In legal terms, the country has had attractive mining legislation since 2014, which has led to a rush of mining companies to Côte d'Ivoire. The political stability of the last ten years has also contributed to this. In terms of infrastructure, the country is under construction, with highways and roads under construction, and a rapidly expanding electricity grid covering 90% of the country. In terms of education, Ivorians have a good level of study in geology and a high professional capacity. Looking at Ivorian gold production, we are behind Ghana, Burkina Faso, and Mali. But it's only a matter of time.

What are your objectives from now to the end of 2024?

To establish a long-term presence in Central Africa. This part of Africa, which abounds in mineral potential, has been lagging behind, and to continue to contribute to the development of mining in West Africa, and to the training of students and capacity-building for mining actors. On the professional front, there's still a lot to be done. We need to equip Ivorian youth with the skills they need to take advantage of the mining industry. We have trained geologists and technicians, and this is our contribution to helping young people and regional industry.