Ivory coast cracks down on illegal gold mining with over 8,500 sites dismantled

Government intensifies fight against illegal gold panning across Côte d’Ivoire

In a high-level security briefing at the Presidential Palace, President Alassane Ouattara reviewed the nation’s overall security landscape, with special attention on progress in combating illegal gold mining since the establishment of the Special Task Force Against Illegal Gold Mining (Groupement Spécial de Lutte contre l’Orpaillage Illégal, GS-LOI) in 2021.

Between 2021 and the first half of 2026, the GS-LOI dismantled more than 8,500 illegal mining sites nationwide. Operations led to the arrest of 4,474 individuals—65 percent of whom were foreign nationals—and the confiscation of over 960 million FCFA in cash, approximately 136 kilograms of gold, and multiple illegal mining machines and tools, which were subsequently destroyed.

The National Security Council acknowledged these results but warned that illegal gold panning persists and even spreads in several regions, posing a serious threat to the environment, national security, natural resources, and the national economy.

The President directed Prime Minister Robert Beugré Mambé to implement stricter measures to curb the practice. Key actions include strengthening the accountability of administrative, traditional, and customary authorities, as well as defense and security forces, through departmental security committees and civilian-military units under prefectural oversight.

He also called for deeper collaboration with diplomatic missions from countries of origin of foreign illegal miners to enhance awareness campaigns and facilitate repatriation procedures for those involved.

The Council underscored the importance of strictly enforcing existing laws against all individuals and entities engaged in illegal gold mining. In response, the Prime Minister was tasked with submitting a proposal to the Council of Ministers to reinforce the national framework against the scourge.

To bolster enforcement, authorities will expand the operational capabilities of the GS-LOI and enhance coordination with defense and security units tasked with supporting its missions.

The National Security Council emphasized that these measures reflect the government’s unwavering commitment to eradicating illegal gold mining, safeguarding natural resources, protecting the environment, and securing sustainable economic growth for Côte d’Ivoire.