Turaco Gold has appointed Warren King as Project Development Director to lead the Afema Project through its Definitive Feasibility Study and into construction, leveraging his extensive experience in African and Australian gold projects.
- Warren King appointed Project Development Director
- King brings 20+ years in mining project delivery
- Focus on Afema Project DFS completion by Q2 2027
- Afema Project hosts 4.65Moz gold resource
- Probable Ore Reserve stands at 1.91Moz gold
Experienced Engineer Joins Turaco to Drive Afema Development
Turaco Gold Limited (ASX:TCG) has taken a decisive step towards advancing its Afema Gold Project with the appointment of Warren King as Project Development Director, effective 3 August 2026. King is a mechanical engineer with over two decades of hands-on experience in engineering, design, procurement, and construction of mineral processing plants and mine infrastructure across Africa and Australia.
King's resume includes leadership roles on significant gold projects, notably his recent tenure as VP – Projects at Allied Gold Corporation where he managed the Sadiola Gold Mine upgrade in Mali. He also spearheaded the design and construction of Red 5 Limited’s 4Mtpa King of the Hills processing plant in Western Australia, now part of Vault Minerals, and the Dalgaranga Gold Project facility operated by Ramelius Resources.
Key Role in Delivering Afema Definitive Feasibility Study
Following the completion of the Afema Project Pre-Feasibility Study (PFS), Turaco is progressing towards a Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS) targeted for the end of Q2 2027. King’s appointment is a clear signal of Turaco’s commitment to transition from exploration to development, with his expertise expected to strengthen the technical team tasked with delivering the DFS and subsequently overseeing construction and commissioning.
Turaco’s Managing Director, Justin Tremain, highlighted King's appointment as a milestone: “Warren brings a track record of successfully advancing gold projects through feasibility, development and into production. His exposure to Africa and construction of large scale gold projects greatly strengthens Turaco’s credentials to develop the plus 200,000 ounce per annum 4.65Moz Afema Project.”
Afema Project’s Robust Mineral Resource and Ore Reserve Base
The Afema Project, located in southeastern Côte d’Ivoire, boasts an updated JORC Mineral Resource Estimate of 4.65 million ounces of gold, spread across multiple deposits including Woulo Woulo, Herman, Jonction, and Asupiri. The resource is supported by a Probable Ore Reserve of 1.91 million ounces, underpinning the project's economics and development potential.
This resource base aligns with Turaco’s ambition to establish a large-scale, open-pit gold operation producing more than 200,000 ounces per annum. The company anticipates further resource growth with ongoing drilling and exploration efforts within the project area.
Strategic Timing Ahead of Construction Phase
King’s appointment comes at a pivotal moment as Turaco prepares to move from feasibility into the construction phase. His prior experience managing large-scale projects from feasibility through to commissioning is expected to be instrumental in navigating the complexities of project delivery in West Africa.
While the announcement does not disclose specific project timelines beyond the DFS completion target, King’s leadership could be a catalyst for Turaco to meet its development milestones and unlock value from the Afema asset.
Bottom Line?
Warren King’s arrival bolsters Turaco’s development credentials just as Afema advances towards construction, setting a foundation for critical project execution in the coming year.
Questions in the middle?
- How will King’s leadership influence the pace and cost of Afema’s DFS and construction?
- What additional resource growth can Turaco realistically achieve before finalising the DFS?
- Will Turaco provide updated capital and production guidance alongside DFS completion?