The Société des mines d'Ity (SMI) has taken a significant step towards improving the living conditions of communities in the Cavally region of Côte d'Ivoire. On September 24, 2026, the company, in collaboration with its partners, provided cleanliness equipment worth 80.653 million FCFA to 18 villages. These villages, eight from the Ouest Cavally and ten from the Est Cavally, will benefit from a range of equipment, including trash cans, shovels, brooms, rakes, machetes, wheelbarrows, gloves, and boots.
The equipment, intended for the villages' cleanliness committees, aims to support the communities in maintaining a clean environment. According to Soro Drissa, the General Director of SMI, this initiative fulfills a commitment made to the communities during a social dialogue meeting. The goal is to empower the populations with the means to take care of their environment, ultimately contributing to the health and well-being of the inhabitants.
Soro Drissa emphasized the importance of collective responsibility in maintaining a clean environment, urging village chiefs, youth and women's leaders, and the populations to ensure the proper use of the equipment. To encourage competition and sustainability, SMI will launch a cleanliness contest among the 18 villages. At the end of the year, the village deemed the cleanest will receive a tractor and additional equipment.
The Director Regional de l'Environnement et de la Transition écologique du Tonkpi, Klé Blé Sébastien, highlighted the significance of cleanliness in preventing diseases, improving living conditions, and promoting overall well-being. He called on the communities to support initiatives that promote cleanliness, hygiene, and environmental protection.
The village chiefs, on behalf of their communities, expressed gratitude to SMI and its partners for the initiative. Ballah Célestin, the chief of Ouyatouo, assured that the equipment would be used responsibly, guaranteeing the proper use of the donated materials.
The event, which took place at the Ity mine site, was attended by administrative authorities, mine officials, village chiefs, and community representatives. Gbagbeu Gué Gilbert, the prefect of Bloléquin, representing the prefect of Zouan-Hounien, commended SMI's initiative, which he said addressed a pressing need of the communities and demonstrated the mining company's commitment to local development.
The cleanliness initiative is a significant investment in the well-being of the communities surrounding the Ity mine. With the equipment provided, the 18 villages can now take concrete steps towards maintaining a clean environment, improving their quality of life, and promoting sustainable development.
Key points
- SMI's initiative aims to empower communities to take care of their environment.
- The cleanliness contest will encourage competition among villages to maintain a clean environment.
- The initiative demonstrates SMI's commitment to local development and improving living conditions.
