The Galam pilot plant, developed by Dynacor in the Kédougou region, completed its first gold pour on September 30, 2026. The facility produced doré from the Merrill-Crowe circuit, a step marking the completion of part of commissioning and the start of the industrial ramp-up. The site is intended to process ore from authorized artisanal and semi-mechanized operations within a framework presented as formalized and traceable.
This first production confirms that the plant can turn ore into doré, but does not mean the site is already operating at full capacity. Dynacor says operating time and recovery rates have improved since commissioning. The next step is to gradually increase production toward the pilot facility's nominal capacity.
A gradual start in the Kédougou gold basin
The Galam site is in southeastern Senegal, an area with significant artisanal and industrial gold mining. The pilot plant is designed to process approximately 50 metric tons per day. This capacity should allow Dynacor to test its supply model, optimize processing parameters and establish relationships with local producers before any decision on commercial expansion.
The Merrill-Crowe process is a gold recovery method based, in particular, on solution clarification and the precipitation of precious metals. The resulting doré contains a mixture of gold and silver that must subsequently be refined. The first bar is therefore an operational validation step; the decisive indicators will be the recovery rate, volumes of ore processed and the stability of input quality.
A pilot facility allows equipment performance to be verified at a controlled scale and provides a better understanding of the characteristics of available ores. This phase matters because artisanal ore can vary between sites in grade, mineralogy and moisture. Irregular plant feed can affect performance and costs.
Formalizing supply channels
Dynacor presents Galam as a facility intended to serve artisanal and small-scale operations with the necessary authorizations. A formal purchasing system can offer producers a more regular commercial outlet and help reduce the flow of gold through undeclared channels. It can also improve the traceability of ore origins and operational compliance with national standards.
The impact will nevertheless depend on supply arrangements. Miners must be able to sell under sufficiently attractive conditions, receive clear information on weighing and assays, and be paid within reasonable periods. If procedures are too costly or burdensome, informal channels may remain preferred. The challenge is therefore to combine oversight, transparency and market access.
Formalization alone does not resolve the social and environmental challenges associated with artisanal mining. Site safety, chemical use, working conditions, protection of waterways and restoration of mined areas remain priorities. The plant can contribute to better oversight by making purchases conditional on compliant practices, but this requirement must be accompanied by inspections and transition solutions for producers.
A step before a potential commercial facility
Galam's startup can serve as the basis for a potential larger commercial unit. Dynacor had discussed the prospect of a facility processing approximately 300 metric tons per day if the pilot demonstrated the model's viability. This option remains conditional: it will depend on technical results, access to sufficient supply volumes, financing and the required authorizations.
An expansion would enable more ore to be processed locally and increase industrial benefits in Senegal. It would also require additional investment, a more structured supply chain and stronger compliance safeguards. Before taking this step, the company must demonstrate that the pilot plant can operate consistently and profitably.
For the country, the project forms part of the broader debate on local gold processing and the development of a services industry around artisanal producers. Added value is not limited to metallurgy: it also includes jobs, purchases of goods and services, oversight of operators and the ability to trace produced volumes.
The first pour as a milestone, rather than a final achievement
The doré poured on September 30 is a tangible achievement following construction and the start of ore processing. It allows the circuit's initial performance to be assessed in practice and operational adjustments to continue. But Dynacor has not yet announced a date for reaching nominal capacity or the volume of the first pour.
The next steps will be improvements in recovery rates, increased operating time, the availability of compliant ore and the integration of local producers into the system. Consistent results and the quality of supply governance will determine whether Galam can evolve from a pilot into a sustainable commercial platform.
For Kédougou, the challenge is to ensure that the investment improves the organization of the gold sector, the safety of practices and the value retained in the country. The first pour opens this possibility, but success will be measured over time through regular production, traceability and tangible benefits for local participants.