Amanze Chinonye
Côte d’Ivoire has given regional authorities six months to eradicate illegal gold mining in their jurisdictions as the government steps up security operations, river surveillance and efforts to rehabilitate mining-affected areas.
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The target was endorsed by the National Security Council at a meeting chaired by President Alassane Ouattara on Thursday, following a national workshop held in Yamoussoukro on Sept. 4-5. Regional prefects will be expected to strengthen intelligence gathering, coordinate security operations and monitor mining sites more closely.
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The government will increase the operational capacity of defence and security forces and expand the number of brigades in the Special Group for Combating Illegal Gold Mining. It will also establish 21 river-security platoons to patrol the country’s four major rivers and their tributaries.
The measures include a six-month moratorium on new authorisations for semi-industrial and artisanal mining. The government also plans to propose legislation increasing penalties for illegal gold mining and creating separate offences for providing logistical or financial support to illegal operations.
Authorities will restore land damaged by illegal mining through labour-intensive public works and military engineering programmes, while providing income-generating opportunities to support the reintegration of Ivorian miners involved in illegal operations.
The government also plans to strengthen the formal gold sector through vocational training, youth retraining, gold-buying centres, mineral-resource mapping and the development of refineries.
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Authorities say illegal gold mining has damaged land, forests and waterways and poses broader security concerns. Government figures indicate that about 1,600 illegal mining sites have been identified across the country.
From July 2021 to July 2026, authorities said they cleared more than 1,000 occupied or reoccupied sites through about 8,500 operations. They said 4,665 people were arrested or referred for prosecution, while security forces seized about 136 kg of gold, nearly 1 billion CFA francs and 745 excavators.
The six-month period is an enforcement target rather than a statutory deadline guaranteeing that illegal mining will be eliminated nationwide. The measures form part of a broader government effort to strengthen enforcement, rehabilitate damaged areas and formalise the gold-mining sector.
Amanze Chinonye is a Staff Correspondent at Prime Business Africa, a rising star in the literary world, weaving captivating stories that transport readers to the vibrant landscapes of Nigeria and the rest of Africa. With a unique voice that blends with the newspaper's tradition and style, Chinonye's writing is a masterful exploration of the human condition, delving into themes of identity, culture, and social justice. Through her words, Chinonye paints vivid portraits of everyday African life, from the bustling markets of Nigeria's Lagos to the quiet villages of South Africa's countryside . With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the complexities of Nigerian society, Chinonye's writing is both a testament to the country's rich cultural heritage and a powerful call to action for a brighter future. As a writer, Chinonye is a true storyteller, using her dexterity to educate, inspire, and uplift readers around the world.
