Cote d'Ivoire's Minister of Water and Forests, Jacques Assahoré Konan, has set a new goal for his department to combat illegal gold mining. On September 19, 2026, Konan met with ministry officials in Bouaké to outline a new strategy. He has given them six months to take action, conduct surveillance, intervene, and restore damaged areas. The minister emphasized that this period will be used to translate national guidelines into concrete actions on the ground.
The meeting in Bouaké follows a national workshop held in Yamoussoukro on September 4-5, 2026, which defined a new framework for fighting illegal gold mining. Konan stressed that his department must now implement this framework in their respective areas of competence. He highlighted the negative impact of illegal gold mining on natural resources, including deforestation, water pollution, and damage to ecosystems.
As part of the new strategy, regional directors have been tasked with developing a six-month roadmap. This document should identify priority sites, classified forests at risk, threatened watercourses, and necessary operations. The minister also emphasized the importance of gathering and sharing intelligence to support these efforts. Regional offices will need to coordinate their actions to maximize their impact.
Konan announced the establishment of an action plan and a steering committee to oversee the implementation of the new strategy. The performance of regional directors will be evaluated after six months. The minister warned that this period should not be used for waiting or making excuses but rather for taking concrete actions and achieving results.
The minister's message was clear: the next six months will be critical in the fight against illegal gold mining. He called on his department to work collectively to protect the country's forests, water resources, and ecosystems. Konan emphasized that the group is stronger than the strongest individual within it.
The fight against illegal gold mining is a key priority for the Ivoirian government. The sector has been plagued by artisanal mining, which has caused significant environmental damage. The government's efforts aim to balance economic development with environmental protection and sustainable management of natural resources.
The success of this new strategy will depend on the commitment and coordination of all stakeholders, including regional offices, local communities, and other government agencies. The next six months will be crucial in determining the effectiveness of the government's approach to combating illegal gold mining in Cote d'Ivoire.
Key points
- The Ivoirian government has set a six-month deadline for its Water and Forests department to take concrete actions against illegal gold mining.
- The new strategy involves developing regional roadmaps, gathering intelligence, and coordinating actions to combat illegal gold mining.
- The performance of regional directors will be evaluated after six months, based on their achievements in implementing the new strategy.
