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Foungbesso Nickel Mine

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Industrial site
—°1
Foungbesso Nickel Mine (Côte d’Ivoire)

Weather…

The Foungbesso Nickel Mine (also known as Sipilou) in western Ivory Coast marks an important step in diversifying the Ivorian mining sector away from pure gold mining. The project focuses on laterite nickel deposits, which are becoming increasingly important for the global production of batteries for electric vehicles. Foungbesso is being developed by Sama Resources and its partners, utilizing state-of-the-art exploration methods such as airborne electromagnetic surveys. The mine is located in a mountainous region and requires complex logistical solutions for ore transport. In addition to nickel, the ore contains significant amounts of cobalt and copper. The project has the potential to make Ivory Coast a major player in the global market for strategic metals and provide long-term economic impetus for the country's previously less developed west.

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Jan, Nov, Dec.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Avg °C252626262524232323242424
Rain mm11491021401752342062722711798728

📋 Practical info

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What is this place?
Foungbesso Nickel Mine is a major nickel mining project contributing to the diversification of the Ivorian mining sector. It extracts nickel and other minerals important for global industry.
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Visiting
The mine is located in a remote region and is typically not accessible to visitors. From surrounding hills, the open pits and infrastructure can be partially observed.
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Where to view it
A viewpoint on a hill along the access road provides an impression of the size of the open pit. The intersection of the main road with the mine road also gives a view of the facility.
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Local products
The mine produces nickel ore and concentrates used in steel and battery industries. Small mines in the region also extract gold and other minerals.
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Active season
Mining takes place year-round, but activity can vary seasonally due to weather. The dry season from November to April provides the best conditions for open-pit mining.
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Nearby
Combine the visit with exploring the surrounding savanna landscapes and traditional villages. The town of Bouaflé is a nearby center with markets and accommodations.

Geography

Coordinates
7.35000, -7.82000

Facts

  • The deposit is considered one of West Africa's largest nickel-cobalt resources.
  • Exploration has shown a potential of over 50 million tonnes of ore.
  • Sama Resources works closely with the HPX group.
  • The ore is transported by truck to the Port of San-Pédro.
  • Nickel is a crucial raw material for the global energy transition.
  • The project promotes the development of local infrastructure in Sipilou.

Explore nearby

Notable places around

Mount TonkpiMount Tonkpi14 km · NExplore →
Mount NiMount Ni17 km · WExplore →
Dan MassifDan Massif25 km · NExplore →
Man Coffee PlantationMan Coffee Plantation30 km · NExplore →
Man MountainsMan Mountains36 km · NExplore →
DananéDanané39 km · SExplore →
Mount MamblMount Mambl39 km · NEExplore →
Mount BiankoumaMount Biankouma46 km · NEExplore →

Route planner — Car & Motorhome

Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.

Vehicle
Only stops with (optional):

© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService

Sights in the town Foungbesso Nickel Mine (1)

Mont Zanton🌿 nature

Mont Zanton is a mountain peak standing amidst a region heavily shaped by historical ore mining.

Sights nearby

Frequently asked questions

What is Foungbesso Nickelmine?
A significant mining project for nickel ores.
Visit possible?
No, tourist access is not possible.
Best time to visit?
The dry months are best for travel in this region.
What is typical?
A purely industrial site far from cities.
Importance?
Raw material source for the export market.
Foungbesso Nickel Mine: where is it located?
Foungbesso Nickel Mine is located in Côte d’Ivoire.
Foungbesso Nickel Mine: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jan, Nov, Dec.
Foungbesso Nickel Mine: why is it worth visiting?
The Foungbesso Nickel Mine (also known as Sipilou) in western Ivory Coast marks an important step in diversifying the Ivorian mining sector away from pure gold mining.
View on map → The Top 50 Attractions → OpenStreetMap →
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Nearby cities

Danané — Foungbesso Nickel Mine (Côte d’Ivoire)
Danané
A border town near Liberia and Guinea.
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Biankouma
Famous for its traditional Yacouba architecture and the spectacular liana bridges in the nearby villages.

Nature

East Nimba Nature Reserve — Foungbesso Nickel Mine (Côte d’Ivoire)
East Nimba Nature Reserve
The East Nimba Nature Reserve protects part of the Nimba Mountains.

More places

🗺️
Ity Gold Mine
One of the oldest and largest gold mines in Ivory Coast, located in the Montagnes region.
🗺️
Mount Tonkpi
Mount Tonkpi is the highest peak in the Man mountain range, rising to 1,189 meters.
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Mount Ni
A smaller but significant mountain in the western region.
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Dan Massif
The Dan Massif is a rugged mountainous region in the west, characterized by steep valleys and high granite peaks.
Man Coffee Plantation — Foungbesso Nickel Mine (Côte d’Ivoire)
Man Coffee Plantation
High-quality coffee cultivation in the mountainous region near Man.
Man Mountains — Foungbesso Nickel Mine (Côte d’Ivoire)
Man Mountains
The Man Massif is the most prominent mountain range in western Ivory Coast, containing several peaks over 1,000 meters.
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Mount Mambl
Another peak in the western mountain regions of Ivory Coast.
Mount Biankouma — Foungbesso Nickel Mine (Côte d’Ivoire)
Mount Biankouma
A mountain range near the border with Guinea, known for its forests.