Côte d’Ivoire cracks down on illegal gold mining with over 8,500 sites dismantled

In a decisive move to strengthen national security, President Alassane Ouattara convened an emergency session of the National Security Council (NSC) at the Palace of the Presidency. The high-level meeting, held in Abidjan, focused on evaluating the country’s overall security landscape, with a sharp emphasis on combating illegal gold mining—a persistent challenge threatening Côte d’Ivoire’s stability.

The NSC reviewed a comprehensive report spanning operations from 2021 to the first half of 2026, highlighting the relentless efforts of the Special Group for Combating Illegal Gold Mining (GS-LOI), established five years ago. During this period, authorities dismantled over 8,500 illegal mining sites nationwide, marking a significant milestone in the fight against this illicit activity.

The crackdown yielded substantial results: 4,474 individuals were brought before judicial authorities, including a majority of foreign nationals, while authorities seized illegal assets totaling over 960 million FCFA and approximately 136 kilograms of gold. Additionally, a wide range of machinery and equipment used in unauthorized mining operations were confiscated and destroyed.

Despite these achievements, the NSC acknowledged that illegal gold mining continues to plague several regions, posing severe risks to Côte d’Ivoire’s environment, national security, natural resources, and economic health. The persistence of this scourge underscores the need for even more robust measures to eradicate it completely.

In response, President Ouattara issued directives to Prime Minister Robert Beugré Mambé, instructing him to escalate enforcement actions. Key strategies include tightening oversight over administrative, traditional, and customary authorities, as well as enhancing coordination between defense and security forces through departmental security committees and civil-military cells under the supervision of regional prefects.

The Head of State also called for deeper collaboration with diplomatic missions from countries where foreign miners originate. This partnership aims to bolster awareness campaigns and streamline the repatriation of implicated individuals, ensuring a more sustainable and humane approach to tackling the issue.

To reinforce legal deterrents, the NSC emphasized the strict application of existing laws against all individuals or entities involved in illegal gold mining. The Prime Minister was tasked with presenting a detailed proposal in the next cabinet meeting to reinforce the national framework for combating this problem.

Efforts to dismantle illegal mining operations will also see a boost in operational capacity for the GS-LOI and the supporting units within the defense and security sectors. These coordinated actions reflect Côte d’Ivoire’s unwavering commitment to preserving its natural wealth, safeguarding the environment, and fostering sustainable economic growth.