Ivory Coast leaders pledge to fight illegal gold mining
Summary and headline written by AI from the source article. How we work
In Côte d’Ivoire, leaders from 60 villages in M’Bengué committed to help end illegal gold mining after a meeting led by Karim Diarrassouba, the prefect of Korhogo region.
The meeting occurred as part of a regional awareness campaign recommended by the National Security Council to mobilize communities against mining that threatens farmland, the environment, and public safety. National mapping revealed M’Bengué as the most affected area in the Poro region, despite being relatively less impacted nationwide.
Diarrassouba urged traditional chiefs and young people to prevent illegal miners from accessing farmland and to protect agricultural land. Technical services from the Ministries of Mines, Agriculture, Water and Forests, Environment, and the Ivorian Anti-Pollution Center educated residents about the negative effects of the practice. Diarrassouba warned that both illegal miners and anyone assisting them would face legal consequences.
He asked people with mining equipment to report it to the police, gendarmerie, or prefecture within one week before authorities begin enforcement actions. Following the meeting, village leaders signed a commitment to combat illegal gold mining and will create local monitoring committees to watch for activity and report it to authorities. The awareness campaign will continue in the Sinématiali and Dikodougou departments.
