Côte d’Ivoire intensifies crackdown on illegal gold mining

The Ivorian government is intensifying its crackdown on illegal gold mining, an activity that threatens soil stability, water sources, and local security. Following a meeting of the National Security Council on September 17, 2026, authorities announced new measures to combat the phenomenon across the entire supply chain, targeting not only workers on-site but also the financiers and organizers behind the operations.

To improve coordination, the government is harmonizing intervention methods between security forces, forestry services, and prefectural authorities. On September 30, additional resources were allocated to field units, including 30 pick-up trucks, 35 troop transport vehicles, 300 motorcycles, 12 boats, and drones to monitor difficult-to-access areas and waterways.

Furthermore, a new bill adopted on September 23 introduces harsher sanctions for those financing or receiving stolen goods from clandestine sites. This legislative shift aims to move beyond merely destroying physical installations to targeting the economic drivers of illegal mining.