Ivorian authorities are cracking down on illegal gold mining, targeting clandestine sites in the Sud-Comoé region near the Ghana border.
Ivorian crackdown on illegal gold mining
Ivorian authorities have carried out several operations in recent weeks to dismantle secret gold mining sites, targeting activities that operate outside legal regulations and often harm the environment or local communities.BSSI unit in action near Mouyassué
RFI accompanied a unit from the BSSI, the Special Surveillance and Intervention Brigade, during one of these operations near Mouyassué, a village in the Sud-Comoé region. This area is more than 200 km east of Abidjan and close to the border with Ghana.BSSI under the Ministry of Water and Forests
The BSSI is a specialized unit under the Ministry of Water and Forests, focused on enforcing environmental and forest protection laws. Its role includes combating illegal mining, which is a significant issue in the region.Illegal mining’s environmental and social impact
Illegal gold mining is known to cause severe environmental damage, including deforestation and water pollution, and often involves unsafe working conditions for miners. These operations are typically unregulated and can lead to conflicts with local populations.
