In the heart of Côte d’Ivoire, a quiet revolution is underway, not in the form of political upheaval or social change, but in the transformation of the landscape itself. The gold rush sweeping the region has brought with it a wave of artisanal mining, and while it promises economic benefits, it also leaves a trail of environmental and agricultural consequences. A recent study, published in the journal *Scientific African* (translated as *Scientific Africa*), sheds light on these impacts, offering a stark reminder of the delicate balance between resource extraction and sustainable development.
Led by Salaha Assoumane Ayouba of the Department of Agronomy and Rural Engineering at the National Polytechnic Institute Félix Houphouët Boigny, the research focuses on the sub-prefecture of Kokumbo, where illegal and uncontrolled gold mining has flourished since 2013. Using advanced machine learning algorithms and Landsat satellite imagery, Ayouba and his team have mapped and quantified the changes in land use and land cover over the past decade.
The results are striking. “We observed a significant regression of forest areas by 14.64% and savannah areas by 7.12%,” Ayouba explains. “Water bodies also saw a decline, albeit smaller, with a reduction of 0.14% and 0.03%.” Perhaps most alarmingly, the study found that approximately 89 hectares of land—equivalent to 0.21% of the sub-prefecture’s total area—have been converted into gold mining areas. This conversion has encroached upon 40 hectares of savannah, 21 hectares of agricultural land, 14 hectares of forest, 11 hectares of inselbergs (isolated rock formations), and 3 hectares of bare areas.
The implications for agriculture and natural resources are profound. The loss of forest and savannah areas not only disrupts local ecosystems but also undermines the agricultural productivity that many communities rely upon. “Artisanal gold mining has been a key driver of land use change dynamics, affecting agricultural lands and natural ecosystems,” Ayouba notes. “These impacts could compromise ecosystem services on which local communities depend.”
For the energy sector, the findings underscore the need for a more sustainable approach to resource extraction. As the demand for gold continues to rise, so too does the pressure on the land. The study highlights the importance of integrating environmental considerations into mining practices, ensuring that the pursuit of economic gains does not come at the expense of long-term ecological stability.
The research also points to the potential of satellite imagery and machine learning algorithms in monitoring and assessing land use changes. By leveraging these technologies, policymakers and industry stakeholders can make more informed decisions, balancing the need for resource extraction with the preservation of natural resources and agricultural productivity.
As Côte d’Ivoire continues to grapple with the complexities of its gold rush, the insights from this study serve as a crucial reminder of the delicate interplay between economic development and environmental stewardship. For the energy sector, the message is clear: the path to sustainable growth lies in a careful, considered approach that prioritizes both economic gains and ecological preservation.