Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire – July 30, 2026
IMPACT is launching a new, two-year project today to strengthen the resilience of artisanal gold mining communities in Côte d’Ivoire, financed by the Government of Canada and with the support of Ivorian government.
The project will support the compliance of 14 mine sites in Côte d’Ivoire, including their approximately 1,000 artisanal miners. Bringing these sites into compliance will help communities access formal supply chains and financing, reduce their vulnerability to illicit trade networks, and strengthen women’s economic empowerment and decision-making power.
The project will implement complementary interventions in three areas:
- Supporting artisanal miners in complying with national and international standards.
- Improving understanding of the tax framework to promote compliance in the artisanal mining sector.
- Strengthening financial inclusion and women’s decision-making power in the artisanal mining sector.
“This new project builds on IMPACT’s 40 years of experience in transforming natural resource management and supporting communities, as well as on our ongoing work with the Ivorian government and artisanal mining stakeholders,” said Floriane Prévert, IMPACT’s Program Coordinator for West Africa and Latin America.
Brahima Bakayoko, IMPACT’s Country Representative in Côte d’Ivoire, added: “Through our work, we aim to open up more sustainable and secure economic and financial pathways for artisanal miners, contributing to the development of communities and the country more broadly.”
The launch event in Abidjan brought together government representatives, civil society organizations, and stakeholders from the mining sector in Côte d’Ivoire, reflecting the project’s emphasis on collaborative, multi-stakeholder solutions.
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Background
Artisanal gold mining contributes significantly to the Ivorian economy, with national production estimated at between 30 and 40 metric tons per year. However, much of this activity remains informal. This limits access to financing and responsible markets, as well as to the protections afforded by the legal framework, particularly for workers and the environment. The non-compliance of certain mining operations creates opportunities for illicit trade, which affects national revenues, as well as the well-being and security of communities.
The project directly addresses priorities shared by national authorities: helping artisanal miners and cooperatives understand and comply with their tax and regulatory obligations, connecting them to responsible formal markets, and strengthening the role of women—who make up a significant portion of the mining workforce—as economic and community leaders. By supporting a more transparent and commercially viable approach to gold mining, the project aims to strengthen social cohesion in mining communities and reduce their exposure to insecurity, while bolstering their contribution to national development.
Over the next two years, project partners will work closely with local authorities, mining cooperatives, and communities to advance compliance, transparency, and inclusion in the artisanal gold mining sector.
About IMPACT
For 40 years, IMPACT has been transforming natural resource management across Africa and Latin America. IMPACT is an independent, nonprofit organization headquartered in Canada. We develop evidence-based solutions to improve economic security, development, and equality in the context of natural resource extraction. IMPACT has been working in Côte d’Ivoire since 2019 to support mining communities. www.impacttransform.org
Media Contact
Antoine Koffi M’Bra Kanga, Communications Officer: akoffi@impacttransform.org | +225 0777321266
Gnanagnon Koné, Project Manager: gkone@impacttransform.org | +255-07-07-17-64-83
