Cameroon’s Ministry of Mines has ordered the immediate closure of nearly 200 illegal gold mining companies as part of a sweeping crackdown on unregulated semi-mechanized artisanal mining. Acting Minister Fuh Calistus Gentry mandated that all unlicensed operators dismantle their processing units or face state-led demolition and legal prosecution. The move targets the mineral-rich East and Adamawa regions, which have seen a surge in informal activity amid rising gold prices. The reform follows staggering data discrepancies: according to recent EITI (Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative) data, while Cameroon officially recorded only 22.3 kg of gold exports in 2023, the UAE alone reported importing over 15 metric tons from the country within the same period—nearly 700 times the officially recorded exports. Cameroon’s crackdown mirrors a wider trend across Africa, where governments are increasing control over strategic mineral resources and seeking greater economic returns from mining industries dominated by foreign operators.
Business Insider Africa
