The mine, and the possibility that other gold concessions will follow, is projected to be an important component of future export revenue for the West African state.

[2] Koma Bangou was first discovered by ONAREM (l'Office National des Resources Minieres, the Nigerien government's mining company) in 1985.

[3] The mine is operated by Moroccan headquartered SML (Societe des Mines du Liptako), a joint venture between Canadian Societe Semafo Inc[4][5] and Canadian Etruscan Resources Incorporated.

[6] The mine site itself was created around the Samira Hill gold deposit, found on the Tiawa exploration permit and the Libiri gold deposit (three kilometers away) found on the Saoura exploration permit.

The ore processing is done by crushing, grinding, and carbon leaching (Gold cyanidation),[9][10] which requires a pipeline pumping water from the nearby Sirba River, to the east of the site, as well as a large reservoir and waste pits.