[REVISION HISTORY]

Côte d'Ivoire intensifies crackdown on illegal gold

Updated 11 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

What changed

2026-10-02 16:28 UTC → 2026-10-08 11:49 UTC · added ~~removed~~

Authorities in Côte d'Ivoire have identified criminal networks involved in illegal gold mining, which reportedly involve financiers operating from Dubai and the sub-region. Seydou Coulibaly, Director General of Mines and Geology, stated these networks use local logistics to manage clandestine sites. Dr. Ahoua Don-Mello has called for international judicial cooperation to target these financiers, noting that illegal exploitation causes significant economic losses and environmental damage, including mercury and cyanide pollution. In response, the Special Surveillance and Intervention Brigade (BSSI) conducted operations in the Tengréla department, destroying dredges and dismantling washing stations. Following a national consultation workshop in Yamoussoukro, the National Security Council (CNS) launched a large-scale, six-month strategy to curb or eradicate illegal mining. This architecture, which places regional prefects at the forefront of coordinating security forces, focuses on intelligence, governance, and sanctions. On September 17, 2026, during a meeting chaired by President Alassane Ouattara, the CNS announced the creation of 21 river security platoons to provide permanent surveillance of the country’s four major rivers and their tributaries. To bolster enforcement, the government will increase the number of operational brigades within the Special Group for the Fight Against Illegal Gold Mining. Authorities have also linked illegal mining to the potential financing of armed groups and insurgent networks in West Africa. On September 21, 2026, the Minister of Mines issued an order implementing a six-month moratorium on the issuance of new semi-industrial and artisanal mining licenses to combat illegal activities. ~~While administrative procedures for new authorizations are halted,~~ Expanding its enforcement efforts, the ~~renewal of existing, compliant sites remains permitted. Local authorities have begun field~~ BSSI recently cleared more than 315 illegal gold mining sites. These operations ~~to raise awareness, including meetings with residents and fishermen near~~ resulted in the ~~Bandama River~~ seizure of 197.7 million FCFA in ~~Tiassalé~~ cash and ~~warnings~~ heavy machinery, including excavators and motor pumps, and led to ~~local leaders in Koro.~~ the referral of 475 individuals to authorities.

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