Risky gold rush drives young into Ivory Coast nature park

A miner emerges from a pit near Doropo, Ivory Coast. Many “artisanal” miners relish the chance to make a better living than they could in farming. [File, Standard]

Emmanuel knows only too well the allure of illegal gold prospecting in the protected Comoe National Park for the many young without prospects in Ivory Coast's troubled northeast.

"Young people come back from the park with enough money to buy themselves motorcycles, or even to build their own house," said the former key player in the illegal trade, who has since renounced the unlawful gold digger's life.