An “African coalition” to combat illegal mining was launched on Thursday. The initiative is led by Côte d’Ivoire, a country severely affected by this scourge, which poses significant environmental, health, and security challenges. The announcement was made during the COP17 conference on desertification, held in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, until Friday.
The coalition aims to “strengthen cross-border cooperation and intelligence sharing, harmonize policies and regulations,” and “mobilize funding for the restoration of degraded lands and ecosystems.”
Illegal mining has major consequences for ecosystems and public health, particularly due to the unregulated use of chemicals that contaminate water and soil. It also serves as a source of financing for certain armed groups, notably jihadists in the Sahel region.
This initiative “reflects the determination of African states to make the fight against illegal mining a key issue for land protection, environmental sovereignty, and the continent’s stability,” stated the Ivorian Ministry of Environment, the sponsor of the text, in a press release sent to AFP. “No single state can, on its own, curb a phenomenon that crosses borders, river basins, and forest massifs,” the statement added.
In late July, Ivorian authorities described the situation of illegal gold mining in the country as “highly concerning” and announced a crackdown. Since 2021, 8,500 illegal mining sites have been destroyed by a dedicated unit, and some 4,500 people have been arrested.
At the end of 2024, neighboring Ghana, Africa’s leading gold producer, also took measures to curb the phenomenon. The scourge of illegal gold mining is not limited to Africa; it also affects several areas in South America, particularly in the Amazon.
Captured & Published at: 2026-08-27 20:08:41 (Madagascar Local Time EAT)
Original Source: https://2424.mg/secteur-extractif-les-pays-africains-sunissent-en-coalition-pour-lutter-contre-lexploitation-miniere-illegale/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=secteur-extractif-les-pays-africains-sunissent-en-coalition-pour-lutter-contre-lexploitation-miniere-illegale