Compagnie Minière du Bafing (CMB) is an Ivorian nickel company operating the largest nickel DSO project on the African continent.
CMB is currently exploiting the Foungbesso and Moyango open-pit mines. They are some of the world’s richest nickel laterite deposits with more than 20 years life of mine. The pits are shallow (20-30m) while the mining process is fully mechanical (no use of explosives, chemicals or hazardous materials) allowing for a safe exploitation with minimal environmental footprint.
CMB has a constructive relationship with the State of Côte d’Ivoire and the state-owned mining entity SODEMI which hold 10% and 5% equity interest respectively in the company.
Timeline
2022
A milestone of 2,000,000 WMT of direct shipping ore annual exports is achieved
2018
The first shipment of nickel ore in February 2018 marks the beginning of CMB’s export activity.
2017
The mining operations commence at Foungbesso, Moyango and Viala (FMV) project. The mining convention between the state of Côte d’Ivoire and CMB is signed in September 2017
2016
The Feasibility study for the FMV project is submitted to the government of Côte d’Ivoire. CMB is established
2015
Acquisition of exploration permit in August 2015
47
million
WMT nickel ore reserves
2.0
% Ni
Average nickel grade
2.0
million
WMT of annual exports
2,500
Job positions