Côte d'Ivoire targets illegal gold mining eradication in six months

Ivorian regional prefects have committed to a six-month deadline to eradicate illegal gold mining within their jurisdictions. This commitment was established during a national consultation workshop held in Yamoussoukro in early September 2026.

To achieve this, the government is shifting from a purely repressive approach to a strategy of participatory governance. This includes involving local communities, traditional leaders, and regional elected officials to ensure sustainable management of mineral resources. The goal is to ensure that mining activities support, rather than undermine, the agricultural sector and environmental stability.

The state has implemented a ten-point action plan focusing on intelligence, surveillance, and increased coordination. Key measures include the creation of specialized security brigades, riverine security platoons to monitor waterways, and the potential introduction of new legislation to increase penalties. Authorities also plan to use biometric files to track illegal actors and increase the confiscation of assets from those convicted.

Between July 2021 and 2026, enforcement operations dismantled over 1,000 sites, resulting in the seizure of approximately 136 kg of gold and significant amounts of cash and heavy equipment. Despite these efforts, the persistence of illegal mining has prompted the government to adopt a “zero tolerance” policy to address the ongoing social and ecological damage.