Cote d'Ivoire's Minister of Water and Forests, Assahoré Konan Jacques, has urged citizens to be vigilant and report any illegal gold mining activities in their areas. In a Facebook post on October 7, 2026, the minister emphasized that the fight against illegal gold mining requires the public's participation. He encouraged people to alert the authorities as soon as they notice any suspicious activity, allowing for swift intervention.
The minister highlighted the importance of community involvement in the fight against illegal gold mining. He noted that the government's efforts to dismantle illegal mining sites are not enough, and that public vigilance is crucial in preventing these activities from gaining momentum. By reporting suspicious activities, citizens can help prevent small-scale mining operations from becoming larger problems.
Minister Assahoré Konan Jacques also emphasized the need for prompt reporting of suspicious activities. He encouraged citizens not to wait and see how situations unfold, but rather to immediately report them to the authorities. This allows the competent teams to intervene quickly and take necessary measures to prevent the situation from escalating.
The minister provided several points of contact for citizens to report suspicious activities, including the Water and Forests department, Gendarmerie brigades, Prefectures, and Sub-prefectures. He assured that these structures are available to receive information confidentially, reassuring citizens who may be hesitant to report suspicious activities.
The Ministry of Water and Forests aims to bring the fight against illegal gold mining closer to the communities affected by it. By involving citizens in the detection of new mining sites, the ministry hopes to prevent these activities from spreading. The minister stressed that a simple report can enable the authorities to intervene quickly and prevent a small-scale operation from becoming a larger problem.
The minister's call to action is part of a broader effort to combat illegal gold mining in Cote d'Ivoire. While the government regularly conducts operations to dismantle illegal mining sites, the minister believes that community vigilance is a crucial additional tool in this fight. He encouraged citizens to adopt a reflexive attitude of vigilance and to report any suspicious activities they may encounter.
The Cote d'Ivoire government has been working to address the issue of illegal gold mining, which can have significant environmental and social impacts. The minister's message emphasizes the importance of collaboration between the government and citizens in addressing this issue. By working together, the government and citizens can help prevent the negative consequences of illegal gold mining and promote sustainable development.
Key points
- The Cote d'Ivoire government is seeking public help to combat illegal gold mining.
- Citizens are encouraged to report suspicious mining activities to the authorities.
- The government aims to prevent small-scale mining operations from becoming larger problems.
