Ivory Coast: When Illegal Gold Mining Causes Human and Ecological Disasters (Investigation)

Artisanal gold mining in Ivory Coast, through EMAPE, uses 8 tons of mercury, leading to environmental contamination and food chain pollution. Between 2021 and 2025, the government identified 4,940 illegal mining sites across all regions, averaging over 159 sites per region. This activity degrades soils, threatens agriculture, and contributes to desertification in the north, while populations near the sites, especially close to the coast, face health risks from exposure.