The prefect of Kadey, Djadaï Yakouba, has signed an order suspending all mining activities in the gold-rich area of Kambélé, located in the East region of Cameroon. The decision was made on July 27, 2022, due to concerns over safety and environmental degradation. The area has been plagued by recurrent deaths from drowning and landslides, largely caused by the non-compliance with environmental regulations.
According to the prefect, the suspension was also necessitated by the threat of degradation of the national road No10, caused by the obstruction of water courses by mud flows. This issue had been a concern for the prefect since his socio-economic tour in June 2022. He emphasized that the fight for sanitation in the mining sector should not be the sole responsibility of the administrative authority, but a collective effort.
The prefect highlighted the need for miners to take responsibility for closing the pits they excavate, which often become artificial lakes that cause floods, drowning, and landslides. In June 2022, seven people, including two women and two children, died in a landslide in a mining site at Bénita in the Kadey department. These fatalities bring the total number of deaths recorded by the NGO Forets et Développement Rural (FODER) between 2014 and June 2022 to 192.
FODER has also recorded over 133 serious accidents in the Adamaoua and East regions during the same period. Most of these accidents were caused by landslides resulting from the lack of basic safety rules in the mining sites. The NGO has been actively involved in monitoring and reporting on the situation in these regions.
The suspension of mining activities in the Kadey region is a significant move by the government to address the safety and environmental concerns associated with artisanal mining. The prefect's order is expected to lead to a thorough assessment of the mining sites and the implementation of necessary safety measures.
The mining sector has been a significant contributor to the economy of Cameroon, but the lack of regulation and oversight has led to numerous environmental and social problems. The government's efforts to regularize the sector and ensure that mining activities are carried out in a responsible and sustainable manner are crucial.
The situation in the Kadey region highlights the need for a comprehensive approach to managing the mining sector in Cameroon. This includes providing support to miners to adopt best practices, enforcing regulations, and addressing the social and environmental impacts of mining activities.
Key points
- The Cameroonian government has suspended mining activities in the Kadey region due to safety concerns and environmental degradation.
- The suspension follows a series of fatalities and accidents in the region, including a landslide that killed seven people in June 2022.
- The government aims to regularize the mining sector and ensure that mining activities are carried out in a responsible and sustainable manner.
