Facing significant losses from illicit gold trade and seeking to formalize a vital, yet often dangerous sector, Côte d'Ivoire has joined forces with the World Bank and the World Gold Council in an ambitious partnership to transform its small-scale mining. The agreement signed today seeks to improve safety and transparency in an industry that supports half a million livelihoods but has long struggled with poor regulation, environmental harm, and widespread smuggling.
The new initiative—the Multistakeholder Partnership for Sustainable and Responsible Small-Scale Mining (MSPI)—includes key industry players such as Endeavor Mining, Perseus Mining, and the Chamber of Mines of Côte d’Ivoire. It represents a concerted effort to shift artisanal and small-scale gold production into a regulated, traceable market.
“Côte d’Ivoire is leading the way in transforming artisanal and small-scale mining into a more professional, regulated sector," said Mamadou Sangafowa-Coulibaly, the Minister of Mines, Petroleum, and Energy of Côte d’Ivoire. He emphasized that the partnership was a "crucial step" in making small-scale mining "safer, more transparent, and a driver of development, growth, and job creation."
For years, Côte d'Ivoire's informal and unregulated gold sector has left miners and surrounding communities vulnerable to environmental degradation and social harms. In 2022 alone, an estimated 40 tons of gold — valued at more than $2 billion in 2022 prices — left the country illegally.
The new partnership aims to ensure gold produced by small-scale operations within Côte d'Ivoire is legally traded and traceable through the supply chain. It will improve cooperation among partners to improve mine sites, processing infrastructure, and market access. It also establishes a framework for stakeholders to strengthen governance.
“Artisanal mining holds enormous potential to add tremendous value to Côte d’Ivoire’s economy,” said Marie-Chantal Uwanyiligira from World Bank Division Director for Côte d'Ivoire. “This is a truly innovative mechanism for bringing together large mining companies.”
The World Bank will support implementing international best practices for gold production while the World Gold Council plans on creating model small-scale mines with assurance institutions like London Bullion Market Association ensuring legal tradeability.
Terry Heymann from World Gold Council called it “a groundbreaking approach” towards responsible mining emphasizing collaboration between industrial & artisanal miners raising standards excluding illicit actors delivering shared benefits globally.
Barrick Mining Corporation through its Tongon mine developed this initiative supporting improved regulations though not participating due ongoing negotiations selling their asset encouraging new owners participate instead.