Government unveils new partnership to strengthen ESG compliance, enhance environmental governance, and combat illicit gold trade. ESG BROADCAST shares key takeaways.
In a major regulatory shift, the Government of Côte d’Ivoire has joined forces with the World Bank and the World Gold Council to launch the Multistakeholder Partnership for Sustainable and Responsible Small-Scale Mining (MSPI). Announced in Abidjan, the initiative seeks to formalise the country’s vast artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) sector, a critical but largely unregulated part of the economy that supports approximately 500,000 livelihoods.
This tripartite partnership—backed by leading industrial players such as Endeavor Mining, Perseus Mining, and the national Chamber of Mines—aims to reduce environmental damage, improve safety standards, and promote traceable gold trading. An estimated 40 tons of gold, worth over $2 billion, was smuggled out of the country in 2022 alone, underscoring the urgent need for better governance and enforcement.
The reform package focuses on integrating artisanal miners into the formal economy by linking them with industrial miners, who will offer training and facilitate the adoption of international environmental and social standards. Model mine sites are expected to be developed to demonstrate compliance with global best practices, with the support of certification bodies like the London Bullion Market Association.
“Côte d’Ivoire is leading the way in transforming artisanal mining into a professional, regulated sector,” said Mamadou Sangafowa-Coulibaly, Minister of Mines, Petroleum, and Energy. He added that the initiative will not only increase transparency but also contribute to job creation and inclusive economic growth.
The World Bank will provide technical guidance on governance frameworks, while the World Gold Council will support efforts to build robust supply chains for traceable, conflict-free gold. The collaboration aims to position Côte d’Ivoire as a regional benchmark for sustainable and responsible mining.
Terry Heymann, Chief Strategy Officer of the World Gold Council, called the agreement a “groundbreaking” model of industrial-artisanal cooperation. “By excluding illicit actors and enforcing environmental safeguards, this initiative ensures that gold production delivers shared value for miners, communities, and markets,” he noted.
This approach balances economic empowerment with environmental governance, reflecting growing international focus on responsible business in the extractives sector.
Strategic significance lies in Côte d’Ivoire’s alignment with international ESG compliance norms, setting new standards for climate-smart and socially inclusive mining regulation. The MSPI could serve as a replicable model for other West African nations grappling with the challenges of informal mining, demonstrating how legal and policy reforms can unlock development without sacrificing sustainability.
ESG BROADCAST will continue monitoring the updates related to this topic. Stay tuned to be updated on the related policy and pivotal regulatory shift.
