As population bearing brunt of activities: RELUFA pushes for restoration of mining sites in East Region.

The advocacy meeting brought together civil society actors, some members of affected communities in the East Region as well as representatives of the public administration and other stakeholders.

It was geared towards presenting the results of a study carried out by RELUFA on the impact of non-rehabilitated mining sites in the East Region and to enrich the study to advocate the rehabilitation of mining sites.

Speaking during the launch of the workshop, RELUFA Coordinator, Jaff Bamenjo, said the open pits left by mining operators have had and continue to have bearing impacts on the environment and the communities where the mining activities are carried out. 

“For quite some times, we have heard reports about the impacts of these open pits on the local population,” Bamenjo stated.

He mentioned that these open pits have become death traps to both the members of their communities and their livestock.

Meanwhile, the pits are also a breathing ground for mosquitoes which gives malaria as a result of stagnant waters. 

“It was important that we bring these issue to the fore because in spite of the existence of a mining law that previews that mining sites should be systematically closed once they are finished but that is not being respected,” the RELUFA Coordinator added. 

Cross view of participants during restitution workshop

Non-application of Mining Code

Jaff Bamenjo further said that the non-application of the Mining Code, has been blamed partly on the absence of a text of application of the Mining Law adopted in 2016.

“The law is there but it is not being implemented and that is why we decided to bring the discussion because it is important for the population and for the communities affected,” he added. 

The Yaounde workshop was organised barely a day after the Interim Minister of Mines, Industry and Technological Development, Prof Fuh Calistus Gentry defended the revised Mining Code for Cameroon. 

The draft law which was subsequently adopted by the National Assembly, will be sent to the Senate for adoption as required by the law prior to its enactment by the Head of State. 

This revised Mining Code is said to bring many changes including giving more powers to local councils to supervise mining activities within their area and ensure the norms of restoration, rehabilitation, and closure of mining sites, in conjuncture with the supervisory ministry.

During the restitution workshop, the research work executed by RELUFA on the impact of artisanal small-scale non-rehabilitated mining sites in East of Cameroon was presented while recommendations were made to improve the report. 

Going by RELUFA Coordinator, this study was undertaken as part of an initiative financed by the Commonwealth Foundation.

The project had as objectives, to assist in alleviating health and environmental concerns in local communities in Cameroon’s East Region by effectively rehabilitating mining sites.

About RELUFA

Created in 2001, RELUFA, is comprised of members of civil society and grassroots communities who joined forces in a concerted effort to fight poverty, hunger, and economic, social and environmental injustice on a national level.

RELUFA aims to combating systemic problems that generate and perpetuate poverty, hunger and social, economic and environmental injustice in Cameroon. 

The association has the objectives of creating a platform of actors with a shared vision of global human development; contributing to national and international efforts toward social justice, transparency and good governance.

The network also seeks to fight against poverty and hunger as well as contributing to building awareness on national, regional and global issues affecting poor and disadvantaged populations, and finding solutions to those problems.