CAMEROON Law and Practice Contributed by: Lynda Amadagana, Elise Ngo Nyobe, Cecile Bella and Kevin Djomgoue, Amadagana & Partners
cate of conformity at the end of the process. This procedure is formalistic and costly, as the fees required are substantial and the timeframe for the issuance of the environmental compliance certificate is very long. 2.2 Impact of Environmentally Protected Areas on Mining There are protected areas in Cameroon. Indeed, the issuance of an exploitation permit is subject to the prior completion of hydrogeological, geo - physical, bacteriological and physico-chemical studies that define the conditions of exploitation and study the vulnerability of the water table in order to determine the protection and security perimeter. The protection zones may be established by the Minister of Mines together with the adminis - trations concerned, within which, prospecting, research and mining of mineral substances or quarries are prohibited. 2.3 Impact of Community Relations on Mining Projects The Mining Code addresses the issue of com - munity relations in the context of mining projects by taking into account the impact of these pro - jects on the economic, cultural, industrial and technological development of Cameroon and, more specifically, on the development of human resources and the development of local busi - nesses, industries and youth employment. The Mining Convention provides for specific local content, taking into account the needs of communities surrounding mining projects. A special account for the development of local capacities has been set up under Cameroon’s Mining Code. Its purpose is to finance Cam - eroon’s economic, social, cultural, industrial
and technological development through human resources development and the development of local businesses and industry. Contributions to this account range from 0.5% to 1% of the mining company’s total pre-tax turnover. 2.4 Prior and Informed Consultation on Mining Projects Prior consultation is mandatory and is done by mining operators in co-operation with the State and regional and local authorities, and civil soci - ety. 2.5 Impact of Specially Protected Communities on Mining Projects There are no communities that enjoy special protection from mining projects in Cameroon. However, in order to preserve their traditions, the rights of indigenous peoples are taken into account when a mining project is set up on their territory. They are consulted and are entitled to compensation in the event of expropriation. 2.6 Community Development Agreement for Mining Projects It is usual to have community development agreements in Cameroon referred to under the relevant mining agreement. Indeed, the local populations affected by the project must be con - sulted first for the allocation of the land neces - sary for the exploitation of mineral substances and secondly to identify the needs of the locality and finalise the local content in the agreement. 2.7 Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Guidelines and Regulations Mining regulations in Cameroon include numer - ous rules relating to governance and transpar - ency stemming from the EITI Standard and the
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