Source: Endeavour Mining plc (2026)
Website: https://www.endeavourmining.com/our-portfolio/sabodala-massawa-mine/
Critical Data
| Parameter | Value | Unit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Throughput | 4.2 | Mt/a | SWOLP design capacity (dry basis); SSTP design 1.2 Mt/a |
| Mill Power | 12 | MW | SWOLP total (4 MW SAG + 2 x 4 MW ball mills); SSTP total 5.6 MW |
| Target Grind Size | 90 | μm | P80 for both SWOLP and SSTP grinding circuits |
| Head Grade | 2.96 | g/t | SWOLP design head grade; SSTP design 7.00 g/t |
| Recovery % | 91.2 | % | SWOLP design gold recovery; SSTP LoM average 90.3% |
| Processing Capacity | 11507 | tpd | Equivalent SWOLP design capacity (4.2 Mt/a ÷ 365 days) |
| Energy Consumption | 30.0 | kWh/t | SWOLP total comminution specific energy; SSTP 30.8 kWh/t |
| Water Consumption | 0.71 | m³/t | SWOLP 2027 budget; SSTP 1.89 m³/t (2026 budget) |
| Operating Hours | 22.9 | hours/day | Based on SWOLP milling circuit utilization of 95.6% |
Overview
Endeavour Mining plc operates the Sabodala-Massawa Mine in Senegal, a world-class gold mining complex featuring two integrated processing plants: the Sabodala Whole Ore Leach Plant (SWOLP) and the Sabodala Sulphide Treatment Plant (SSTP). The SWOLP, commissioned in 2009 and upgraded in 2020, treats free-milling ores through a conventional SABC (semi-autogenous grinding, ball milling, and pebble crushing) circuit followed by carbon-in-leach (CIL) and gravity concentration. Its design capacity is 4.2 Mt/a (dry) handling a blend of oxide and fresh ores. The SSTP, commissioned in Q2 2024, treats refractory ores using flotation to produce a sulphide concentrate, which is then oxidized in a BIOX® circuit (licensed from Metso) before cyanidation in a dedicated CIL circuit. The SSTP has a design throughput of 1.2 Mt/a (dry). Together, these plants process ore from multiple open pits and underground sources along the Sabodala and Massawa shear corridors, managing variable feed grades, mineralogy, and weathering profiles. The combined Life-of-Mine gold production is projected to peak at 391 koz in 2029, driven by high-grade Kerekounda & Golouma underground ores feeding the SWOLP, while the SSTP processes predominantly fresh ore from Massawa CZ and Massawa NZ. The integrated design shares utilities and services, maximizing operational efficiency and gold recovery from both free-milling and refractory resources.
Key Process Stages
- Stage 1: ROM Handling and Primary Crushing – Free-milling ore is delivered to two parallel primary crushing trains (Metso C140 jaw crushers) with vibrating grizzlies, reducing ROM from 800 mm to a P80 of ~150 mm. A secondary cone crusher (Sandvik CH660) further reduces a middlings fraction to −20 mm. For refractory ore, a dedicated Metso C120 jaw crusher feeds a 19 m³ surge bin after blending on finger stockpiles based on sulphur and gold grade.
- Stage 2: Comminution and Gravity Recovery – The SABC circuit comprises a 4 MW SAG mill, two parallel 4 MW ball mills, and Metso HP200 pebble crushers for the SWOLP, while the SSTP uses a 2.8 MW SAG mill and a 2.8 MW ball mill with a Metso HP100 pebble crusher. Both circuits achieve a target grind P80 of 90 μm. A portion of the cyclone feed is diverted to a centrifugal gravity concentrator; concentrate undergoes intensive cyanidation (ICR) with dedicated electrowinning, and tails return to the ball mill feed.
- Stage 3: Flotation and Regrind (SSTP) – The SSTP flotation circuit treats the milled slurry in two rougher tank cells, three scavenger cells, and three cleaner cells. Collector (PAX, 65 g/t) and frother (MIBC, 50 g/t) are added. Rougher and cleaner concentrate is reground in a VTM-200 vertical stirred mill (150 kW) to a target P80 of 45 μm to liberate sulphide minerals. Flotation tailings report to a thickener, with the option to route to the SWOLP for additional recovery.
- Stage 4: BIOX® Bio-oxidation and CCD – Reground flotation concentrate (nominal 11.8 t/h dry solids, 44 t S²⁻/d) is fed to four parallel primary BIOX® reactors (1,368 m³ each) followed by three secondary reactors in series. Total residence time is 6.7 days at 40–42°C and pH 1.3–1.4, achieving 94.2–96.1% sulphide oxidation. The oxidized slurry is washed in a three-stage counter-current decantation (CCD) circuit (97% wash efficiency) and neutralized with limestone (314 kg/t conc) and lime (44 kg/t conc) to pH 7.0 in six stages.
- Stage 5: CIL, Elution, and Gold Recovery – The neutralized product enters a dedicated CIL circuit with six tanks (36 h residence time) using sodium cyanide (20.8 kg/t) and lime (20 kg/t) at pH 10.5. Loaded carbon (up to 4,500 g/t Au) is stripped in a split AARL elution column (6 t capacity, 6 strips/week). Gold is electrowon onto stainless steel cathodes, smelted into doré bars. CIL tails undergo SO₂/air cyanide destruction before disposal. The SWOLP uses a similar 8 t elution system at 8 strips/week.
Additional Interesting Data and Summary
The Sabodala-Massawa processing complex demonstrates industry-leading integration of conventional and advanced recovery technologies. Historical performance shows the SWOLP consistently exceeded its 4.2 Mt/a design, milling 4.76 Mt in 2023 and 4.47 Mt in 2025, with actual gold recoveries ranging from 79% to 89% depending on feed blend. The SSTP, despite being in its early years, achieved 76% recovery in 2025 with a head grade of 3.77 g/t. Process inputs for the SWOLP in 2025 included 30.5 kWh/t electrical power, 0.57 m³/t water, 0.59 kg/t grinding media, 1.72 kg/t lime, and 0.32 kg/t sodium cyanide. The SSTP consumed higher reagents due to the BIOX® process: 71.57 kWh/t, 11.25 kg/t lime, and 0.90 kg/t cyanide in 2025. Budgeted consumption for 2027 projects improvements: SSTP power dropping to 59.46 kWh/t and lime to 8.40 kg/t. Environmental management includes tailings thickening (SWOLP underflow 60–65% solids) and a dedicated lined compartment (TSF1B) for SSTP CIL tails. Cyanide destruction via SO₂/air ensures compliance. The LoM production schedule forecasts combined gold recovery peaking at 391 koz in 2029, declining to 58 koz by 2034 when the SWOLP ceases operations. The SSTP is slated to end in 2032. Future sustainability initiatives focus on blending high-arsenic Massawa NZ ore with Massawa CZ to maintain Fe:As >2.8, reducing acid consumption and limestone demand. The integration of gravity circuits in both plants enhances early gold capture, reducing inventory and improving overall recovery. As refractory ore sources deplete, the facility underscores the importance of continuous optimisation in reagent consumption, water recycling, and energy efficiency to extend economic viability while maintaining robust gold production.
Key Processes: Flotation, CIP/CIL, Cyanidation, Gravity Separation, SAG Mill, Ball Mill, Crushing
Target Commodities: Gold, Copper, Lead
Technical report and processing history
The following archived source profiles have been consolidated here to preserve the project’s processing history and study context.
Sabodala-Massawa Mine — 2026 Technical Report
Sabodala-Massawa Mine — 2026 Technical Report
| Company | Endeavour Mining plc |
| Mine | Sabodala-Massawa Mine |
| Date | 2026-03-30 |
| Region | Senegal |
| Commodities | Gold |
| Throughput | 5.4 Mt/a (Combined) |
| Mine Life | 2034 (SWOLP), 2032 (SSTP) |
| Status | Operating |
Executive Summary
The Sabodala Central Processing Facility (SCPF) comprises two distinct plants: the Sabodala Whole Ore Leach Plant (SWOLP) and the Sabodala Sulphide Treatment Plant (SSTP). The SWOLP, commissioned in 2009 and upgraded to 4.2 Mt/a capacity, processes free-milling ores using a conventional SABC/CIL circuit with gravity concentration. The SSTP, commissioned in Q2 2024, treats refractory sulphide ores at a design capacity of 1.2 Mt/a using flotation, BIOX® bio-oxidation, and CIL. Both plants share infrastructure and services.
Production is expected to increase from approximately 283 koz in 2026 to 391 koz in 2029, driven by high-grade underground ores fed to the SWOLP. The SSTP is scheduled to end production in 2032, while the SWOLP continues until 2034. The facility treats a mix of fresh, oxide, and transition ores sourced from multiple pits and underground operations within the Sabodala Shear Corridor and Massawa Shear Corridor.
Processing Overview
The SWOLP utilizes a SABC comminution circuit followed by gravity recovery and Carbon-in-Leach (CIL). The SSTP employs a similar comminution circuit but includes a flotation circuit to concentrate sulphides, followed by BIOX® oxidation and CIL. Both plants utilize split AARL elution and carbon regeneration circuits.
Reports
Website: https://www.endeavourmining.com/our-portfolio/sabodala-massawa-mine/
Report Date: 2026-03-30
Region: Senegal
Project Status: Operating
Commodity: Gold
Throughput: 5.4 Mt/a (Combined)
Mine Life: 2034 (SWOLP), 2032 (SSTP)
Mine Type:
Ore type:
Sabodala-Massawa Project — 2022 Technical Report Update
Sabodala-Massawa Project — 2022 Technical Report Update
| Company | Sabodala Gold Operations SA (SGO) |
| Date | 2022-05-09 |
| Region | Senegal |
| Commodities | Gold |
| Mine Type | Open Pit |
| Throughput | 5.2 Mt/a (Combined) |
| Mine Life | 2022 to 2035 |
| Status | Operating / Development |
Executive Summary
The Sabodala-Massawa Project in Senegal represents a significant expansion of gold processing capabilities through the integration of the existing Sabodala Whole Ore Leach Plant (SWOLP) and the new Sabodala Sulphide Treatment Plant (SSTP). The SWOLP, operating since 2009, has been upgraded to process 4.0 to 4.5 Mt/a of free-milling oxide and fresh ores, achieving approximately 89.4% gold recovery. The SSTP, scheduled for first production in Q1 2024, will treat 1.2 Mt/a of non-free milling transitional and sulphide ores using a flotation and BIOX® circuit followed by CIL.
The project leverages existing infrastructure at Sabodala to process ore from the Massawa Mining License, utilizing a combination of crushing, grinding, flotation, bio-oxidation, and carbon-in-leach circuits. Power is currently supplied by Heavy Fuel Oil (HFO) generation with plans for expansion, while water management includes dedicated treatment plants for arsenic and antimony removal from tailings decant water. The combined operation supports a mine life extending to 2035, targeting a total throughput of over 5 Mt/a.
Processing Profile
- Crushing:: Jaw Crusher (Metso C120/C140), Cone Crusher (HP100/HP200)
- Milling:: SAG Mill, Ball Mill, Pebble Crusher, VTM (Regrind)
- Flotation:: Rougher, Scavenger, Cleaner (Tank and Trough Cells)
- Leaching:: Carbon-in-Leach (CIL), Intensive Cyanide Leach (ICL)
- Bio-Oxidation:: BIOX® (Biological Oxidation)
- Elution:: Split AARL
Reports
- reports/2022_SabodalaMassawa_Project
Website: https://www.endeavourmining.com/our-portfolio/sabodala-massawa-mine/
Report Date: 2022-05-09
Region: Senegal
Project Status: Operating / Development
Commodity: Gold
Throughput: 5.2 Mt/a (Combined)
Mine Life: 2022 to 2035
Mine Type: Open Pit
Ore type: Oxide, Transitional, Sulphide
Sabodala-Massawa Project Pre-feasibility Study — 2020 Technical Report
Sabodala-Massawa Project Pre-feasibility Study — 2020 Technical Report
| Company | Sabodala-Massawa Project |
| Date | 2020 |
| Region | Sabodala-Massawa (Falémé River) |
| Commodities | Gold |
| Mine Type | Open Pit |
| Throughput | 5,200,000 tpa (4.0M WOL + 1.2M ROT) |
| Mine Life | 5+ years (ROT Phase) |
| Status | Pre-feasibility Study (Expansion) |
Executive Summary
This report outlines the Pre-feasibility Study for the Sabodala-Massawa Project, detailing modifications to the existing Whole Ore Leach (WOL) plant and the design of a new Refractory Ore Treatment (ROT) plant. The WOL plant upgrades are designed to treat higher grade Massawa ores with a throughput of 4.0 million tonnes per year, achieving 91.2% gold recovery. The new ROT plant is designed to process 1.2 million tonnes of refractory ore annually, achieving 88.3% gold recovery.
The project involves a two-phase approach. Phase 1 upgrades the WOL plant with a gravity circuit and additional leaching capacity to handle free-milling ores starting in 2020. Phase 2 involves modifying the crushing circuit and installing the ROT plant, including a BIOX circuit, to treat refractory ores commencing in January 2023. The combined operation utilizes Carbon-in-Leach (CIL) for both circuits, with the ROT circuit incorporating flotation and bio-oxidation prior to leaching.
Processing Profile
Reports
- reports/Sabodala_Massawa_PFS_2020
Website: https://www.endeavourmining.com/our-portfolio/sabodala-massawa-mine/
Report Date: 2020
Region: Sabodala-Massawa (Falémé River)
Project Status: Pre-feasibility Study (Expansion)
Commodity: Gold
Throughput: 5,200,000 tpa (4.0M WOL + 1.2M ROT)
Mine Life: 5+ years (ROT Phase)
Mine Type: Open Pit
Ore type: Free-milling and Refractory
Sabodala-Massawa Project — 2020 Pre-feasibility Study
Sabodala-Massawa Project — 2020 Pre-feasibility Study
| Company | Sabodala Project |
| Mine | Sabodala Mine |
| Date | 2020 |
| Region | Senegal |
| Commodities | Gold |
| Throughput | 5.2 Mtpa (WOL 4.0, ROT 1.2) |
| Mine Life | ROT treatment expected for at least 5 years |
| Status | Operating / Development |
Executive Summary
This technical report outlines the recovery methods for the Sabodala-Massawa Project, focusing on modifications to the existing Whole Ore Leach (WOL) plant and the design of a new Refractory Ore Treatment (ROT) plant. The WOL plant modifications are designed to treat higher grade material from the Massawa pits, with a throughput of 4.0 million tonnes per year and an average gold head grade of 1.51 g/t, achieving 91.2% gold recovery. Key upgrades include the installation of a gravity circuit, additional leach and CIL tanks, and an expanded elution circuit.
The ROT process plant is designed to handle 1.2 million tonnes of refractory ore per year with an average gold head grade of 6.04 g/t, achieving 88.3% gold recovery. This phase involves campaign crushing of refractory ores and the installation of a flotation circuit followed by Bio-Oxidation (BIOX) treatment. The treatment of refractory ores is expected to commence in January 2023 and will continue for at least 5 years.
The existing WOL plant at the Sabodala operation has a design capacity of approximately 4.0-4.2 million tonnes per year and has been operating since the last upgrade in 2016. The combined operation utilizes Carbon-in-Leach (CIL) cyanidation for gold recovery, with the ROT circuit adding BIOX oxidation to liberate gold from sulphide minerals before CIL leaching.
Website: https://www.endeavourmining.com/our-portfolio/sabodala-massawa-mine/
Report Date: 2020
Region: Senegal
Project Status: Operating / Development
Commodity: Gold
Throughput: 5.2 Mtpa (WOL 4.0, ROT 1.2)
Mine Life: ROT treatment expected for at least 5 years
Mine Type:
Ore type: Free-milling, Refractory
