combat

Ivory Coast: the difficult fight against illegal gold-making

In Côte d'Ivoire, artisanal gold mining is growing, particularly in clandestine sites. The authorities want to put an end to illegal ordeal, accused of degrading land and polluting watercourses, and have reinforced sanctions. But on the ground, the struggle is met with an economic reality: for many young people, the exploitation of gold remains one of the few sources of income. Report by Jean Barrère and Damien Koffi.