The President of the Republic, Alassane Ouattara, chaired a meeting of the National Security Council (CNS) on July 23, 2026, to discuss the country’s overall security situation. During the session, the CNS was pleased with the results of the fight against illegal gold mining, thanks to the efforts of the Special Group for Combating Illegal Gold Mining (GS-LOI), created in 2021.
The report presented covers the period from 2021 to mid-2026 and states that over 8,500 illegal gold mining sites have been dismantled across the country. The GS-LOI operations also led to the detention of 4,474 individuals, with 65% being foreign nationals, the seizure of over $960 million, and the confiscation of approximately 136 kilograms of gold. Several equipment and tools used in this illicit activity were also seized and destroyed.
Despite these encouraging results, the CNS lamented the persistence and even expansion of illegal gold mining in several regions of the country.
The CNS believes that this activity continues to pose a serious threat due to its impact on the environment, national security, natural resources, and the Ivorian economy.
In response to this situation, President Ouattara instructed the Prime Minister, Robert Beugré Mambé, to take all necessary measures to intensify the fight against this phenomenon.
Among the main orientations retained were the strengthening of the responsibility of administrative authorities, traditional and customary institutions, as well as security forces, particularly through the Departmental Security Committees (CDS) and Civil-Military Cells (CCM), under the authority of prefects.
The President also requested a closer collaboration with the diplomatic representations of countries of origin for the foreign gold miners to strengthen awareness-raising efforts and facilitate the repatriation of those involved.
The CNS emphasized the need for rigorous application of repressive texts against anyone physically or morally involved in this activity. The Prime Minister was tasked with presenting, as soon as possible, a communication to the Council of Ministers on the strengthening of the national anti-illegal gold mining device.
The CNS decided to increase the operational capabilities of GS-LOI and those of security units intervening in coordination with this group.
According to the CNS, through these new orientations, Ivorian authorities demonstrate their willingness to toughen up the fight against illegal gold mining to preserve natural resources, protect the environment, ensure security, and promote economic development.
