Côte d’Ivoire cracks down on $7bn illegal gold trade

• Government dismantled 1,600 illegal sites in 2024
• Tax losses total $1.3bn as rogue miners outproduce licensed operators

ABIDJA, CÔTE D’IVOIRE – Côte d’Ivoire is stepping up efforts to combat illegal gold mining, as the government seeks to stem massive tax losses and reclaim control of an industry that is fast becoming a key driver of GDP growth.