The Minister of Mines, Industry and Technological Development, Fuh Calistus Gentry, has just issued a series of measures to put an end to smuggling and fraud in the sector.
The government is beginning the restructuring of the artisanal gold sector in Cameroon by taking measures aimed at improving the control of this sector, which is influenced by informal activities and fraud. The Minister of Mines issued a series of measures on February 9th concerning the organization of semi-mechanized gold mining in sites across the country. These measures require operators and potential operators to work within a formal framework in order to eradicate fraud and smuggling, which result in losses for the national economy.
Read also: 11 February: between discourse and reality, young people expect concrete actions, not empty promises
Among the measures adopted, the government announces the withdrawal of valid authorizations for semi-mechanized artisanal mining operations as of February 20, 2026, in accordance with the provisions of Article 168(2) of the Mining Code. The Minister in charge of Mines will also proceed with the closure of operators’ sites due to non-payment of the site rehabilitation bond and the signing of specifications. They have exceeded the 15-day deadline granted to them for this purpose.
In addition, holders of up-to-date authorizations have a period of three months from February 9th to build a closed-loop system or present a partnership agreement with an operator who has such a system. They must also submit a summary feasibility study to the Minister in charge of Mines for validation, including the average grade of the site and the minimum protection threshold.
Furthermore, from now on, applications for semi-mechanized artisanal mining authorizations will be preceded by site access authorization. This authorization will be issued by the territorially competent regional delegate. It will allow for prospecting in order to develop the feasibility study. The applicant must attach to this application a signed specification between the operator and all relevant stakeholders, as well as proof of payment of funds for the restoration of mining sites.
Read also: The European Film Festival celebrates Cameroonian youth
In the same vein, night work and the conduct of semi-mechanized artisanal mining activities within exploration permits are prohibited.
All these measures are part of the Cameroonian government’s initiatives to improve the benefits derived from gold exploitation in Cameroon. The Minister of Mines specifies in this regard that in recent years, the public treasury has received 1500 kg of gold compared to the 37 kg of gold that the country had as reserves from independence until the 2000s.
