President Alassane Ouattara convened a high-level meeting of the National Security Council at the Presidential Palace to assess the country’s security landscape. During the session, officials highlighted the remarkable progress achieved in combating illegal gold mining, thanks to the dedicated efforts of the Special Task Force Against Illegal Gold Mining (GS-LOI), established in 2021.
Between 2021 and the first half of 2026, the GS-LOI dismantled more than 8,500 illegal mining sites nationwide. The crackdown also led to the arrest of 4,474 individuals—65% of whom were foreign nationals—and the confiscation of over 960 million West African CFA francs alongside approximately 136 kilograms of gold. Additionally, authorities seized and destroyed numerous machines and equipment used for illicit extraction.
Despite these milestones, the National Security Council acknowledged that illegal gold mining continues to spread across several regions, posing persistent challenges to national stability, environmental health, and economic integrity.
The Council emphasized that unregulated mining remains a critical threat due to its severe consequences, including environmental degradation, security risks, and economic losses for Côte d’Ivoire.
In response, Head of State Ouattara directed Prime Minister Robert Beugré Mambé to implement urgent measures to intensify the crackdown. Key strategies include strengthening the accountability of local, traditional, and customary authorities, as well as defense and security forces, through enhanced coordination via the Departmental Security Committees and Civil-Military Cells under prefectural supervision.
The President also called for deeper collaboration with diplomatic missions from the home countries of foreign miners. The goal is to boost awareness campaigns and streamline the repatriation of apprehended individuals.
Furthermore, the Council underscored the necessity of strictly enforcing punitive laws against all individuals or entities involved in illegal mining. The Prime Minister was tasked with submitting a proposal to the Council of Ministers to reinforce the national framework against this practice.
To further bolster efforts, authorities plan to expand the operational capacity of the GS-LOI and allied defense and security units working alongside it.
The National Security Council stressed that these measures reflect Côte d’Ivoire’s unwavering commitment to eradicating illegal gold mining, safeguarding natural resources, protecting the environment, and securing the nation’s economic future.
