Fight Against Illegal Gold Mining in Côte d'Ivoire: The National Security Council Strengthens State Response Through New Measures
Abidjan, September 17, 2026 – To step up the fight against illegal gold mining in Côte d'Ivoire, the National Security Council (CNS) met on Thursday, September 17, 2026, at the Presidential Palace under the chairmanship of Head of State Alassane Ouattara, adopting new measures to supplement decisions made during its July 23, 2026 meeting.
These decisions stem from conclusions reached by participants—notably regional prefects—at a national workshop on consultation and harmonization of mechanisms to fight illegal gold mining, held on September 4–5, 2026, in Yamoussoukro.
The newly approved measures include boosting the operational capabilities of local Defense and Security Forces; substantially increasing the number of operational brigades within the Special Task Force Against Illegal Gold Mining; and intensifying river surveillance through the creation of 21 River Security Squadrons to maintain permanent control over the country's four major rivers and their tributaries. For further national security updates, visit In Côte d'Ivoire.
Additionally, sanctions will be toughened through the upcoming adoption of a law aimed at increasing penalties for offenses related to illegal gold mining. A six-month moratorium has been instituted on issuing semi-industrial and artisanal mining permits, alongside the deployment of a communication and Monitoring-Evaluation system to objectively track the evolution of the phenomenon.
Furthermore, the CNS warned that any form of indirect involvement or logistical and financial complicity will now be treated as an independent criminal offense.
Ecological rehabilitation and economic reintegration measures are also being established. These aim to support the restoration of sites damaged by illegal gold mining through Labor-Intensive Public Works (THIMO) programs and the involvement of the Military Engineering Corps, while facilitating the economic reintegration of national illegal miners through income-generating activities.
In addition, the Prime Minister will propose measures to professionalize the gold sector, including vocational training, youth retraining, buying counters, mapping mining assets, and establishing refineries.
The CNS commended the resolute commitment expressed by regional prefects during the meeting to sustainably eradicate the scourge of illegal gold mining in their administrative districts within six months, primarily through increased mobilization of territorial intelligence, enhanced coordination of competent forces, and rigorous monitoring of actions taken.
At the conclusion of the September 17 meeting, President Alassane Ouattara instructed Prime Minister Robert Beugré Mambé, Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Téné Birahima Ouattara, and all relevant ministers to take the necessary steps for the prompt execution of these various measures.
It should also be noted that during the meeting, the CNS called for continued heightened vigilance regarding road traffic accidents, which rose from 1,549 in July 2026 to 1,657 in August an increase of approximately 7% compared to July. Read more Côte d'Ivoire news on our platform.
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