Côte d’Ivoire: Illegal gold mining drains billions from the economy

Illegal gold mining continues to pose a major economic, environmental and security challenge for Côte d’Ivoire, with authorities estimating that around 142 tonnes of gold leave official channels each year.

The value of this illicit gold production is estimated at about 4,600 billion CFA francs, according to figures cited by Ivorian authorities in 2026. This represents the value of gold escaping formal channels rather than a direct loss of 4,600 billion CFA francs in tax revenue. 

The fiscal impact is also significant. Earlier government estimates put annual tax losses linked to illegal gold mining at more than 700 billion CFA francs.

Illegal gold mining has expanded across the country, affecting all 31 regions, according to recent reports.

The activity is putting pressure on farmland and water resources while contributing to environmental degradation. The use of chemicals such as mercury and cyanide has also raised concerns over pollution and public health.

The government has stepped up efforts to dismantle illegal mining operations.

Between 2021 and the first half of 2026, authorities reported the dismantling of more than 8,500 illegal mining sites. Security forces also referred 4,474 people to prosecutors, seized more than 960 million CFA francs and recovered around 136 kilograms of gold.

Despite these operations, the National Security Council has warned that illegal gold mining continues to expand in several parts of the country.

President Alassane Ouattara has ordered the government to strengthen the fight against the practice and increase the operational capacity of the special units responsible for dismantling illegal mining sites.

Authorities are also seeking greater cooperation with the countries of origin of foreign miners involved in illegal operations.

The government is also looking at ways to formalize artisanal and small-scale mining in order to bring more production into the legal economy.

For Côte d’Ivoire, the challenge is not only to stop illegal mining but also to ensure that the country captures a greater share of the wealth generated by its gold resources.

As gold prices remain high and demand for the precious metal continues to grow, controlling illicit production is becoming increasingly important for government revenues, environmental protection and national security.