Cameroon and the People’s Republic of China Join Forces to Combat Illegal Gold Mining

The Minister of Mines, Industry and Technological Development(ai), Professor Fuh Calistus Gentry, received the Political Counsellor of the Chinese Embassy in Cameroon, Li Jiang Hua, in audience this Friday.

Following a recent awareness and consultation meeting with representatives of the Chinese Embassy and numerous officials from Chinese companies operating in the East Region, the Political Counsellor reiterated his government’s call for strict compliance with Cameroon’s mining code by the companies concerned. He also reaffirmed China’s support for the Cameroonian government in its efforts to clean up the semi-mechanized artisanal mining sector.

While emphasizing that the closure of illegal mining sites in the East Region does not target Chinese companies alone, the Minister outlined the prerequisites for lifting the suspensions. These include strict adherence to the mining code, notably:

– the payment of an environmental bond of 63 million CFA francs (3 million per hectare);

– the declaration of a minimum production threshold of 5 kilograms of gold per month for a company operating five production units;

– full transition to a closed-circuit system within six months.

The government official also underscored that China remains a strategic partner for Cameroon. However, he stressed that bilateral relations must be governed by strict compliance with existing laws to ensure a mutually beneficial partnership. Both parties agreed that restructuring the semi mecanised artisanal mining sector would serve the interests of all stakeholders.

In this regard, Professor Fuh Calistus Gentry granted an additional one-week deadline to the Chinese authorities present to continue raising awareness among their nationals engaged in illegal activities.