CAMEROON

The Programme works to empower miners, improve working conditions, enhance environmental sustainability, and contribute to the responsible and equitable growth of the mining sector.
The Programme has supported the organization and formalization of 150 artisanal and small-scale mining enterprises in Cameroon and helped the development of strong and representative organizations. It works with local municipalities to support artisanal and small-scale mining enterprises to standardize their products and integrate artisanal and small-scale mining activities in municipal development plans.

The Programme works to advance health, safety, and environmental and social sustainability in the artisanal mining sector in Cameroon. It conducted comprehensive assessments of environmental impacts, promoted sustainable sourcing of minerals, driven ecosystem restoration efforts, and addressed critical social and economic issues affecting mining communities. These efforts have resulted in a better understanding of the sector’s challenges, improved collaboration among stakeholders, and led to improvements in environmental and social outcomes for both miners and local communities.

The Green Mining Initiative

The Programme organized an assessment of deforestation in the Congo Basin, which led to creation of the Green Mining Initiative in 2022 by the Ministry of Mines, Industry and Technological Development. The Programme coordinates and supports this multistakeholder initiative. 

The Green Mining Initiative aims to integrate climate change and environmental management considerations into all mining activities to enhance the resilience of communities living near mining sites. The initiative focuses on climate change adaptation, green infrastructure development, ecosystem restoration, and biodiversity conservation. It promotes innovative approaches, facilitation of technology transfer and capacity building.

To inform the Green Mining Initiative, the Programme conducted five scoping studies on the environmental and social impacts of mining in the East, North, Far North and West regions of Cameroon. The study in the East region, situated at the edge of the Congo Basin forest, was conducted with extensive fieldwork. These studies investigate the scale of mining impacts and assess environmental conditions at mining sites. They helped identify options for environmental restoration of sites degraded by mining, and governance mechanisms to implement the restoration. These assessments involved a participatory process that included experts, the government, artisanal miners and local communities, and aim to provide them with crucial information to mitigate environmental impacts of mining.

Since mining in Cameroon is dominated by artisanal and small-scale mining, putting in place participatory and governance mechanisms that involve artisanal mining communities is essential for the success of environmental restoration. In this regard, the assessment and engagements in the East Cameroon, serve as an important case for others affected by mining.

Pozzolan Quarry Environmental Impact Assessment

The Programme conducted cumulative environmental impact assessments of the pozzolan quarrying sites in the commune of Foumbot, West Cameroon, in 2018 and 2024. Pozzolan is volcanic rock and is used for production of lower-cost, low-carbon cement.
The assessments evaluated the environmental, social, and economic impacts of pozzolan mining. The 2024 study found that the number of artisanal miners in pozzolan mining has grown more than ten-fold between 2018 and 2024, and that many large-scale mining companies have entered the pozzolan mining industry, reflecting the rapidly increasing demand in construction materials. They study also identifies mitigation measures, such as site restoration, biodiversity protection, water and soil management, improvement of working conditions and stakeholder participation, and recommends actions to address critical gaps in environmental protection, community engagement, and conflict resolution.

Health, Safety and Environmental Management Trainings

The Programme conducted comprehensive training programs for artisanal and small-scale miners in hazard identification, risk assessment, safe mining practices, the use of appropriate safety equipment, and environmental management of artisanal mines. These trainings aim to reduce occupational injuries and fatalities within the artisanal and small-scale mining sector in Cameroon and promote a culture of safety and responsibility among miners.

Recognizing the critical role women play in artisanal and small-scale mining, the Programme has implemented targeted interventions aimed at formalization of women’s artisanal mining groups, enhancing women’s economic participation, improving their livelihoods, and addressing the specific challenges they face. These efforts have focused on increasing women’s access to finance, training, and technology, while also promoting gender equality and inclusivity within mining communities.

Women artisanal and small-scale miners and entrepreneurs were also extensively trained in environmental protection, entrepreneurship, financial planning. In addition, as part of value-addition trainings, women were trained in production of stabilized earth bricks to boost their incomes.

Recognizing the critical role women play in artisanal and small-scale mining, the Supporting artisanal and small-scale mining and processing enterprises is crucial for local economic development. The Programme conducted trainings in financial management and business planning for artisanal and small-scale mining enterprises, complementing with small grants, empowerment of women-led associations, and improving the visibility of their work to improve their access to markets.