Cameroon has announced large-scale measures to tighten control in the gold mining sector. The goal of these measures is to prevent cases of underreporting production volumes and illegal exports, which, according to authorities, have cost the country billions of dollars in revenue.
The Acting Minister of Mining, Fouh Calistus Gentry, stated on Wednesday that discrepancies between the actual volume of gold mined and the data submitted by some mining companies have significantly reduced tax revenues to the state budget.
According to official estimates, illegal gold exports to the United Arab Emirates have cost the state approximately 2,000 billion CFA francs, equivalent to about $3.5 billion USD over the past five years. Fouh told journalists that the main problem is not so much the disappearance of state-owned gold, but rather the underreporting of production by certain private operators.
The government intends to strengthen supervision across the entire mining sector. Plans include increasing on-site inspections at mining locations, introducing requirements for minimum gold delivery volumes, improving monitoring of the entire gold extraction process, and enhancing production traceability. Furthermore, officials plan to enforce mining regulations more strictly.
The Ministry of Mining noted that over 200 companies are operating without the necessary authorization, and 137 such cases have already been referred to court. The government will also combat the misuse of exploration permits, which, according to authorities, are being used for mining operations instead of planned exploratory activities. Fouh emphasized that an exploration permit is intended exclusively for identifying and assessing deposits.
Cameroon aims to expand its mining industry as part of its economic diversification strategy. In 2023, the country adopted a new mining code and is working to increase the development of its mineral resources, including diamonds, cobalt, iron ore, and gold.
A total of 105 people were detained during a week-long police operation against illegal mining in Pilgrim's Rest, Mpumalanga. Among those arrested are 91 foreign nationals without documentation. Significant quantities of gold material, mining equipment, and cash were seized during the operation.
The multidisciplinary operation, conducted under the leadership of the South African Police Service (SAPS) from July 6 to 12, was part of ongoing measures to curb the activities of illegal mining networks in the province. Police representative, Lieutenant Colonel Jabu, reported that officers discovered 14 bags of gold material, 39 phenduka, seven engines, 201 steel spheres, 40 shovels and spades, sacks of soil, six gas cylinders, gold scales, a metal detector, and a cutting torch.
Furthermore, the police confiscated R16,300 in cash, allegedly linked to illegal mining. The following day, July 13, SAPS destroyed part of the seized equipment, including 100 phenduka, six gas cylinders, 15 engines, and 40 shovels and spades. Jabu noted that the destruction of the equipment was carried out in accordance with existing procedures.
Illegal mining, often associated with organized criminal syndicates and environmental damage, remains a serious problem in several regions of South Africa. Law enforcement agencies are intensifying efforts to dismantle these illicit enterprises.
The head of the provincial SAPS command in Mpumalanga, Major General (Dr) Zef Mkhwanazi, highly praised the work of the officers involved in this operation, noting their commitment to fighting crime. Mkhwanazi emphasized that the police will continue to pursue individuals involved in illegal trade, and SAPS will increase operations aimed at dismantling criminal networks involved in illegal mining and ensuring perpetrators are held accountable.
Suspects arrested during the investigation may face various charges related to illegal mining and immigration violations.
