CAMEROON Law and Practice Contributed by: Aurélie Chazai, Paul Ariel Kombou, Vanina Fonga and Dylan Dave Tchouankeu, Chazai Wamba
Impact on Legal Mining Activities Illegal mining can: • create conflicts and tensions between licensed operators and informal miners; • disrupt lawful industrial activities and compromise site security; • undermine regulatory oversight and tax revenues; and • generate environmental degradation, including landscape disturbance, pollution risks, and biodi - versity impacts. While industrial operations continue to develop, ille - gal artisanal mining remains a structural constraint to orderly sector governance and to the smooth execu - tion of licensed projects. Regulatory and Enforcement Response The authorities have strengthened monitoring and enforcement measures through multi-agency inspec - tion missions, increased regulatory supervision, and initiatives aimed at improving compliance, rehabilita - tion obligations and the environmental and social per - formance of small-scale mining operators. Overall, illegal mining remains a material challenge, but the State is actively working to enhance control, formalisation, and regulatory discipline in the sector. 2.9 Good and Bad Examples of Community Relations/Consultation Impacting Mining Projects Negative Example: Lomié Artisanal Gold Mining In the Lomié Department, large-scale artisanal gold mining has caused severe environmental and social impacts. Key issues observed include: • pollution – uncontrolled use of mercury and cya - nide contaminated rivers, soils, and local biodiver - sity; • land degradation – mining sites were not reha - bilitated after exploitation, leading to erosion and long-term deterioration of agricultural land; and • social consequences – local communities suf - fered from reduced access to clean water, adverse health effects, and loss of agricultural productivity, resulting in economic hardship.
This example highlights the consequences of insuffi - cient environmental management and the absence of effective engagement with local communities. Positive Example: “Opération Eaux Claires” In contrast, the government-led initiative “ Opéra- tion Eaux Claires ” in the Eastern Region demon - strates coordinated action to address environmental and social impacts from illegal mining. Key features include: • multi-agency coordination – the operation involved the Governor’s office and technical services work - ing together to enforce regulations; • environmental protection – illegal barges and equipment were seized and destroyed to prevent further river pollution; and • community benefit – the initiative aimed to safe - guard water sources and protect local populations from the adverse effects of uncontrolled mining. • This case illustrates how government intervention, regulatory enforcement, and community protec - tion measures can mitigate the negative impacts of mining activities. 3. Climate Change, Energy Transition and Sustainable Development in Mining 3.1 Climate Change Effects Climate change–related initiatives are increasingly shaping mining activities in Cameroon. The Mining Code requires title holders to conduct operations in harmony with environmental protection, which includes measures that indirectly address climate- related risks. Mining operators are required to prevent geotechnical and environmental hazards, minimise discharges and waste, and protect biodiversity as well as the health of surrounding communities. In addition, upon withdrawal or surrender of a mining title, operators remain bound by their environmen - tal obligations, including site closure, dismantling of installations, and rehabilitation of affected areas. These requirements aim to reduce the environmental and climate footprint of extractive activities.
49 CHAMBERS.COM
Powered by FlippingBook