Ensuring conformity with new Mining Code: Minister Fuh Calistus assesses implementation of social projects in Betare-Oya.

Minister Fuh Calistus went visiting Betaré-Oya to ensure that provisions in the new Mining Code enacted into law last year are being implemented. 

The evaluation mission held on Thursday April 4. This was in the company of the East Governor, Gregoire Mvongo; the President of the East Regional Council, Wouamane Mbele, amongst other administrative, municipal and traditional authorities. 

The Code, it should be said, requires that mining companies, with the approval of concerned councils, carry out social projects in the communities that are affected by the mining activities. 

The some of the projects inspected included the rehabilitated roads and the Betare-Oya Multipurpose Youth Empowerment Centre which is currently being equipped.

Close to a dozen laptops have been offered the centre by some mining companies.

Speaking on behalf of the mining companies, Desili Jacqueline of the Int Phoenix Mining Sarl, said their company oversaw the rehabilitation of some earth roads in the area while the Wo Mining Company offered laptops to the youth empowerment centre as part of their social projects mutually agreed with the council. 

She added that Wo Mining intends to also donate desktop computers to the centre even as plans are underway to equip the centre with solar energy.   

“We count on the minister and government to accompany us to carry out more social projects,” Desili added. 

Working session with stakeholders

At the end of the inspection of the different social projects, the Minister proceeded with a working session with some mining operators and stakeholders. The meeting was opened to the general population of Betare-Oya.

Speaking during that meeting, the Mayor of Betare-Oya, Nicolas Baba, saluted government’s decision to include municipal authorities in the procedure of the follow-up of mining exploitation.  

“The head of the centre presented to me the challenges they are facing, particularly the need of ICT gadgets and so when the occasions presented itself, with one of the mining operators, we told them to supply us with computers for this youth empowerment centre,” the mayor said. 

“This will help to empower our youths and to move the children out of the mining site as it is the vision of the Head of State” the politician added. 

Enter Minister Fuh Calistus

According to the Interim mines minister, the purpose of his visit to Betare-Oya was to ensure that each mining activity, be it at the level of semi-mechanised or industrial mining, should be accompanied by a social project.  

He insisted that the Mining Code has clearly defined the obligation of the mining operators. The government official also stated that State is doing all its best to see that the interest of the local population is preserved. 

“For all mining communities, the ad valorem tax is for the councils and is paid directly to them. This tax is not for the entire division nor the region but for the councils. It is for the councils whose environments are affected by the mining activities,” Prof Fuh Calistus stated.  

During the meeting, the MINMIDT boss pointed out that any mining activity carried out on a territory must be accompanied by a social project, which are essential to get children out of the mining sites. 

These social projects, he said, could include road infrastructure, drinking water supply, youth training, health, sanitation, and a host of others. 

Quizzed on his impression after inspecting the different social projects, the member of government declared that “I am satisfied by the actions carried out so far”. 

Galvanise stakeholders

He added that his visit was also to galvanise the mayors and other mining operators to partake in inauguration of the first closed-system of gold procession unit in Kette.

“We are certain that in the near future, Betari-Oya is going to have similar closed-system gold processing units which will solve the problem of destruction of the environment,” the minister stated. 

He mentioned that government plans to see that at least ten of closed-system gold processing plants are set up in Cameroon by the end of 2024, with Betari-Oya having at least two. 

Minister Fuh Calistus warned that no licence for semi-mechanised mining operation will henceforth be issued to operators who don’t include plans of establishing closed-system of mineral processing. 

“We have given a period of six month for a complete transition by the operators to this new system,” he added. 

The evaluation mission, which began April 4, continued on Friday April 5, in the locality of Kette as part of the implementation of the closed-loop mineral gravel processing system.