Since the 1990s, there has been significant development of the mining sector in West Africa (Soro, 2011). Côte d'Ivoire, which has significant mining potential, intends to use this sector as a vector for economic and social development, to make up for the shortcomings of the agricultural sector, which for decades was considered to be a pillar of development. However, the Ivorian mining industry also faces recurrent protests from local populations (Gnamien, 2014). Given the strategic importance of this sector, it is necessary to gain a better understanding of the social representations of these populations in the face of the social and environmental challenges posed by mining projects. This study therefore sets out to understand the ideologies associated with the mining industry by local communities. It focuses on the specific case of Agbaou Gold Operations (AGO), which operates the Agbahou gold mine in the Divo department and has repeatedly experienced social tensions surrounding its activities. Using a methodology based on literature review, observation, interviews and, as an analytical tool, thematic content analysis, this study enabled us to understand the dynamics of the social and political context in which the mine operates. This study enabled us to understand the socio-environmental dynamics induced by AGO's activities as perceived by local populations.