Page 41 - gmj150-Jan-Mar-web-Neat

It was a happy homecoming to Mako for former

Toro Gold chairman Mark Connelly and company

co-founder Boubacar Thera

oro was acquired by established West African producer
TResolute Mining Ltd in 2019 and neither Connelly nor
Thera had visited the fully fledged 2 mtpa operation since
handing over the keys to their “baby”.
For Thera, a Malian national, Mako represents everything
which is great about Senegal’s budding resources industry.
“We started this as a greenfield [project] in 2009, made the
discovery, we did the fundraising and we built the mine in a
very short time,” Thera told GMJ.
“This means Senegal is a really nice place to do business.
They have put in place a very attractive mining code, we
always had the full assistance of the Government.”
With Diamba Sud leading the race to become the country’s
next operating gold mine, Thera urged other junior explorers
to consider opportunities in Senegal, especially at a time
when neighbouring countries in West Africa are enduring
prolonged periods of political instability.
“Senegal is a very stable country, there has never been a
coup d’état, the institution is very strong and the logistics are
fantastic,” he said.
“It has been a troubled period for West Africa, but Senegal
has never had any terrorism attacks and the military
gendarme are doing a very good job around the border.
Senegal is very safe place.”

Chesser has initiated a number of community engagement
programmes for the nearby Gamba-Gamba village,
including a new access bridge and medical centre Mark Connelly and Boubacar Thera at the Mako gold mine

Page 41