Foreign operators accused of flouting artisanal mining rules

Around 6,000 artisanal mining licenses have been issued so far in the national mining operations to whom the Cameroon Mining Code grants the exclusive of artisanal mining in the country, according to the Secretary of State to the Minister of Mines,

Mr Fuh Calistus Gentry noted that, in the term of a descent which he has just made on the mining sites concentrated in the region from the east of the country, "many foreigners in partnership with locals pushed this activity beyond the requirements of artisanal mining, using up to seven excavators with a car wash."

This non-compliance with standards governing of artisanal mining in Cameroon, says the head of the Minister of Industry and Mines, "plays a negative role in the environment and has no contribution to the national economy."

Instead of turning to industrial mining, which is their responsibility, foreign operators with the complicity of nationals, flock to artisanal mining activity in which incomes are not controlled and reserves are not normally reported.