Country in focus
The possible return of former president Laurent Gbagbo is a cause of great
concern among certain investors. Tim Strong, principal geologist at Kangari Consulting, worked in Côte
d’Ivoire for more than two years.
In a 1 February ruling, the International Criminal Court (ICC)
ordered the conditional release of Gbagbo, and co-accused
Charles Blé Goudé. Both individuals were indicted on war crime
charges in relation to the violence that ensued following Côte
d’Ivoire’s 2010 elections. of the victims of Côte d’Ivoire’s post-electoral crisis — but also
drew the support of related organisations operating in the sector
of human rights and victims’ justice. These groups have vowed to
continue to resist all attempts by Gbagbo and Goudé to return to
Côte d’Ivoire,” the report states.
According to a recent report by Signal Room, Gbagbo’s permanent
release is not yet a certainty. Nonetheless, his provisional acquittal
had an acute impact on the sociopolitical climate in the country.
“The most immediate of these reactions has come in the form
of protests. Following Gbagbo and Goudé’s initial 15 January
acquittal, demonstrations took place in Bouaké — the country’s
second-largest city — where local youth groups held spontaneous
gatherings calling for the ICC to reverse their decision to release
the pair.
“The rally followed a similar demonstration held in Abidjan the
previous day in which the pleas of protesters were for the court to
not acquit either figure. Abidjan again hosted anti-Gbagbo protests
in the Abobo area of the city and nearby Anyama on 31 January
and 1 February, respectively, which — as was the case with the
previous gatherings — caused localised disruptions but otherwise
concluded peacefully.
“The protests were largely organised and attended by members
of the CVCI — a civic movement which represents the interests
18 AFRICAN MINING MAY - JUNE 2019
Challenges remain
Unpredictability and regulatory uncertainty are concerns that
negatively affect the mining industry. For example, the government
recently intended to change the income tax exemption for
operating mines from five years to one year. Although the decision
was opposed, it could have severe ramifications. According to
Danso, illegal mining is also a big challenge. “The government
is trying to control the situation, but the plan is still a work-in-
progress,” says Danso.
Tim Strong, the principal geologist at Kangari Consulting, was
based in Côte d'Ivoire as an exploration and resource geologist for
Amara Mining (now Perseus) from 2014 to 2016. The geological
team was tasked with drilling out a resource (86 000m) of the
Yaoure project, 40km north of Yamoussoukro. “At the time, this
was the largest drilling campaign in Africa and included nine
diamond rigs and two RC rigs at the same time,” says Strong.
Strong tells African Mining that the country has been relatively
stable since the civil war ended in 2011. However, he adds that the
situation could change very quickly. “There is strong opposition in
the country. Moreover, areas to the north of Yamoussoukro have
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