Tengréla: 18 illegal gold mining dredges destroyed in Côte d’Ivoire

The Special Surveillance and Intervention Brigade (BSSI) conducted an operation against illegal gold mining in Ziekoudougou, within the Tengréla department, along the banks of the Bagoué River. On August 28, 2026, a detachment of 20 agents destroyed 18 dredges and dismantled nine illegal washing stations. Three individuals were arrested during the intervention.

This operation follows intelligence gathering and patrols aimed at protecting river ecosystems from the environmental damage caused by clandestine mining, such as mercury pollution and bank erosion. The Ministry of Water and Forests has been increasing operations against such activities to preserve Côte d’Ivoire’s natural resources.

In a separate but related development, Minister Abou Bamba launched an African coalition against land degradation caused by illegal gold mining during the COP17 meeting in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. Côte d’Ivoire has been tasked with organizing this coalition to address the regional impact of illicit mining.