Côte d'Ivoire launches diamond revival plan with Botswana partnership

Ivory Coast's Minister of Mines, Mamadou Sangafowa Coulibaly announced a plan to restart diamond production, targeting the country's estimated 11 million carats of untapped reserves. The initiative involves a partnership with Botswana, the African leader in diamond mining, and the signing of a formal agreement is expected in the coming months.

On the same day in Séguéla, the minister also began a campaign to curb illegal gold‑panning in the Woroba district. Authorities will combine enforcement actions with community‑based awareness efforts to stop unregulated extraction that threatens water sources, soil and local farm incomes. The dual focus aims to revive the formal mining sector while protecting the environment and supporting legitimate livelihoods.