Côte d’Ivoire: Efforts to Combat Illegal Mining Gain Momentum

President Alassane Ouattara has pledged to intensify the fight against illegal mining in Côte d’Ivoire, following a recent meeting with his security council.

The council heard about the progress made by the Groupement spécial de lutte contre l’orpaillage illégal (GS-LOI) in tackling the illicit mining trade.

Since 2021, the GS-LOI has dismantled over 8,500 illegal mining sites across the country, resulting in the arrest of 4,474 individuals, including 65% foreign nationals.

The council also heard about the recovery of $960 million worth of illicitly mined gold and the confiscation of several pieces of equipment used in the illegal mining operations.

Despite these successes, the security council expressed concern over the persistence of illegal mining activities in various regions of the country.

The council noted that these activities pose a significant threat to the environment, national security, natural resources, and the economy.

President Ouattara has ordered his prime minister to take all necessary measures to strengthen efforts to combat this menace.

This includes reinforcing the responsibility of administrative authorities, traditional leaders, and security forces through the establishment of Comités départementaux de sécurité (CDS) and Cellules civilo-militaires (CCM).

The president has also urged cooperation with foreign diplomatic missions to sensitize individuals involved in these activities and facilitate their return.

The council has demanded strict enforcement of laws against anyone found guilty of involvement in the illicit mining trade.

Efforts to combat illegal mining are expected to gain momentum, with a focus on protecting Côte d’Ivoire’s natural resources and ensuring sustainable development.