Kenechukwu Nnaka

With its rich mineral resources, the mining sector in Ivory Coast has quadrupled its gold production over the last decade. The significant boost in gold production stems from greater investment in the sector, the opening of new mines and the discovery of substantial gold deposits. This surge is transforming the country’s economy and raising essential considerations about environmental safety and sustainable resource management.

Ivory Coast has been gradually developing its mining sector to diversify its economy from overdependence on cocoa. The country’s gold production reached 51 tons in 2023, up from 48 tons in 2022, and is expected to reach 56 metric tons in 2024. This comes mainly from the opening of new mining operations by major companies like Barrick Gold, Endeavor Mining, and Roxgold. For example, Endeavour Mining announced its first gold pour from the Lafigue mine on June 28, 2024. This development is expected to further boost the country’s gold output in the years ahead.

New investments through new mining operations add to the total amount of gold produced, but they also sustain the life cycle period of the pre-existing operating mines. Barrick Gold’s Tongon mine, for example, is set to operate until at least 2030 following the discovery of new deposits. Such expansions are crucial for maintaining the momentum in gold production and ensuring continued contributions to the economy. Also, The Kone project, operated by the Canadian mining company Montage Gold, is among the most ambitious developments in the gold mining sector on the Ivory Coast. The Kone gold deposits are one of the country’s largest gold deposits with substantial potential reserves. The Kone Project has attracted essential interest from international investors and mining companies, and the project has again become a key component for the future development of this nation’s mining. The Kone project is expected to rank among the biggest gold mines in the country, further entrenching the Ivory Coast as one of the significant contributors to world market supplies of gold.

Regardless of the economic advantage, the rapid expansion of gold mines in the Ivory Coast is filled with significant risks, especially concerning environmental security and public health. One of the most pressing issues is the potential for gold mine leaks, which can lead to severe environmental contamination. A recent incident in the country where a gold mine leak resulted in the poisoning of 185 people starkly illustrates these dangers. The tragedy underscores the urgent need for stricter environmental regulations and robust mechanisms to prevent such disasters in the future. The toxic chemicals used in gold mining, such as cyanide, pose substantial risks to both the environment and human health. Poor handling of such harmful substances might precipitate water contamination, invariably causing ecosystem destruction and health disasters among local communities. This calls for putting safety measures and emergency response methods in place.

While the potential for effective gold mining and utilisation in Ivory Coast is promising, it is important to implement stringent measures to mitigate environmental risks. The government should enact and enforce strict environmental policies that require mining companies to adhere to best practices in waste management, water conservation, and chemical use. Routine inspections and monitoring should be conducted to ensure compliance with these regulations and prevent environmental damage. Also, mining companies should constantly engage with local communities to address rising concerns and ensure that the benefits of mining are shared. This means investing in local infrastructure, health and educational facilities to counter potential negative impacts of mining activities. Furthermore, using modern mining technologies reduces environmental impacts while increasing efficiency in gold extraction. More emphasis should be placed on technologies that would lessen dependency on harmful chemicals and, at the same time, reduce energy consumption.

Gold mining in the Ivory Coast presents various opportunities against a backdrop of significant challenges. However, economic development driven by the discoveries of new deposits and the commencement of new mining activities should not do away with the associated environmental and health dangers. Only through strict regulations, investments in research and technology, and consultations with the community can Ivory Coast exploit its mineral resources so that the benefits of the gold rush will be sustainable for the country. It will be crucial for balancing the country’s advancement approach toward developing its mining sector, ensuring that economic gains will not compromise the environment’s health and social well-being.