As part of the SECORCI2 project funded by the European Union, Coginta organized three training sessions aimed at reinforcing the capacities of artisanal miners and internal security forces. The initiative seeks to structure artisanal gold mining, improve security, and enhance environmental protection in Côte d’Ivoire.

Capacity Building for Artisanal Mining Actors

From February 23 to 25, 40 participants representing 10 mining cooperatives supported by the project, along with three gold buying and trading offices, took part in a specialized training session.

The program focused on raising awareness about money laundering mechanisms within the artisanal and small-scale gold mining sector (EMAPE), tax fraud, and strategies to combat these practices, particularly in connection with terrorist financing threats.

The session was co-facilitated by the Cellule nationale de traitement des informations financières (CENTIF) and the Cellule de renseignement anti-terroriste (CROAT), strengthening participants’ understanding of financial compliance and security risks linked to illegal mining activities.

Enhancing the Operational Capacity of Security Forces

From February 23 to 27, 25 members of the internal security forces — including gendarmerie squadron officers, brigade gendarmes, police officers, and customs officials — benefited from advanced operational and administrative training.

The sessions addressed the judicial processing of offenses under the Mining Code and the fight against money laundering in relation to terrorist threats. The training was delivered by the Head of the Brigade for the Repression of Mining Code Offenses (BRICM), in collaboration with CENTIF and CROAT.

Environmental Protection and Field Surveillance

The training program continued from February 26 to 28 with 25 participants from the Water and Forests Department and the Special Surveillance and Intervention Brigade (BSSI).

This component aimed to strengthen field operations supporting the Water and Forests units in combating illegal gold mining activities, which often pose serious environmental and security challenges.