Fatality at Perseus Mine Puts Contractor Safety Under Scrutiny

PERTH, WA – January 16, 2026 – A fatal offsite vehicle accident in Côte d’Ivoire has cast a somber shadow over the operations of Australian-based Perseus Mining Limited (ASX/TSX: PRU), placing a sharp focus on the safety and oversight of third-party contractors in the global mining industry.

On Thursday, January 15, Mr. Moussa Doumbia, an employee of ore haulage contractor Binkadi, was fatally injured in a vehicle incident. The accident occurred on a public road near the Bagoé Gold Mine, a key component of Perseus’s Sissingué mining complex in the West African nation.

In a statement released today, Perseus Mining confirmed the tragic event and announced the commencement of a full investigation in consultation with Ivorian authorities. The company’s Managing Director and CEO, Craig Jones, approved the release, which conveyed the firm's regret over the incident.

A Corporate Response to Tragedy

Perseus Mining has publicly expressed its condolences following the death of Mr. Doumbia. “We express our deepest sympathies to Mr Doumbia’s family, and both Perseus and Binkadi are providing support to help the family through this difficult time,” the company stated.

Support is also being extended internally. The mining firm is offering counseling and support to its entire team at the Sissingué complex as they process the loss of a colleague working alongside them. The immediate focus for the company is twofold: providing assistance to the victim's family and its workforce, while simultaneously launching a thorough investigation to understand the circumstances that led to the fatal accident.

The incident has already had a minor impact on the market, with Perseus Mining's shares (ASX:PRU) experiencing a slight dip in trading following the announcement. While the company is in a strong financial position, the event raises inevitable questions for investors and stakeholders about operational risks and liability, particularly concerning its extensive network of local contractors.

The Hidden Risks of the Supply Chain

This tragedy highlights a persistent and complex challenge within the international mining sector: ensuring robust safety standards extend beyond a company's direct employees to its vast network of contractors and subcontractors. Mr. Doumbia was an employee of Binkadi, an Ivorian transport company contracted for ore haulage, a critical but often hazardous part of the mining process.

Research suggests Binkadi is a local entity, registered as “BINKADI TRANSPORT DE SEYDOUGOU,” specializing in the public transport of people and goods. While partnering with local firms is crucial for community integration and economic development, it also introduces complexities in aligning safety cultures, training protocols, and equipment maintenance standards. The accident occurred “offsite,” on public infrastructure, further blurring the lines of direct operational control and responsibility.

Industry data shows that incidents involving contractors, particularly in logistics and transport, are a recurring concern. Factors such as failure to adhere to standard operating procedures and inadequate equipment maintenance are frequently cited in such accidents. The investigation into Mr. Doumbia's death will undoubtedly scrutinize these areas, examining the contractual obligations for safety between Perseus and Binkadi and the practical enforcement of those standards.

A Strong Safety Record Tested

The fatality presents a stark challenge to Perseus Mining’s otherwise strong, publicly reported safety record. As recently as late 2025, the company celebrated achieving a full year without a lost time injury across its operations, reporting a Total Recordable Injury Frequency Rate (TRIFR) of 0.60, a figure it noted was “well below the industry average.”

Perseus has implemented safety initiatives such as its “Safely Home Every Day (SHED) Gold Interactions” and conducts “Contractor management audits” designed to ensure health and safety compliance among its partners. The company’s sustainability reports have previously highlighted a track record of “zero fatalities and low injury rates.”

This incident serves as a critical real-world test of those systems. It underscores the reality that even with comprehensive internal programs and favorable statistics, the risk of a fatal incident remains, especially within the sprawling logistics of a major mining operation. The outcome of the investigation will be pivotal in determining whether this was an unavoidable tragedy or a systemic failure in contractor oversight.

Mining in Côte d’Ivoire: Growth and Responsibility

The accident is also contextualized by the broader landscape of Côte d’Ivoire's rapidly growing mining sector. Governed by a 2014 Mining Code, the nation is actively encouraging foreign investment to develop its mineral wealth, with gold mining being a significant contributor to its economy. Perseus has a substantial footprint in the country, with its Sissingué complex employing a workforce that is approximately 94% Ivorian, over half of whom are from local communities.

Furthermore, the company contributes 0.5% of Sissingué’s annual revenue to a Community Development Fund, supporting local infrastructure projects. This deep integration into the local fabric is a key part of the company's social license to operate. However, this tragic event has drawn some skeptical online commentary regarding the sincerity of corporate support, a sentiment often found in resource-rich regions where communities bear the direct impacts of industrial operations.

The incident involving Mr. Doumbia is a somber reminder of the human cost that can accompany economic development. As Perseus and Ivorian officials proceed with their investigation, the case will be closely watched by industry peers, investors, and human rights advocates as a measure of corporate accountability and the real-world effectiveness of safety protocols in West Africa's booming resource sector.