Cameroon Government Seeks to Formalize Artisanal Mining

The Ministry of Mines, Industry, and Technological Development (MINMIDT) in Cameroon launched a sensitization campaign on October 5, 2026, in Ketté, East Region, targeting artisanal miners and local mayors to formalize the gold mining sector and combat fraud and smuggling.

This initiative carries significant legal implications for practitioners and businesses operating within Cameroon's mining sector. It signals a clear governmental intent to bring the largely informal artisanal mining activities under stricter regulatory control, which will inevitably lead to increased compliance burdens and potential enforcement actions for non-compliant operators. The emphasis on formalization, traceability, and official channels aims to enhance state revenue, improve environmental and social governance, and ensure that local communities and territorial collectivities derive greater benefits from mining activities, potentially paving the way for new local content or benefit-sharing regulations.

The legal framework governing this sector is primarily Cameroon's Mining Code (Loi n° 2016/017 du 14 décembre 2016 portant Code Minier), which outlines various types of mining permits, including specific provisions for artisanal mining authorizations. The campaign's focus on the creation of Groupements d’Intérêt Économique (GIEs), the issuance of artisanal miner cards, and adherence to official export procedures directly relates to the implementation of this code and its associated decrees. Furthermore, the drive to combat fraud and smuggling implicates broader legal instruments, including customs laws, anti-money laundering regulations, and criminal statutes related to illicit trade.

Key parties involved in this critical formalization effort include the Ministry of Mines, Industry, and Technological Development (MINMIDT), led by Inspector General Philippe Nyetam and the TASK FORCE committee, alongside artisanal miners and the mayors of mining communes in the East and Adamaoua regions. Their collective engagement is crucial for the successful implementation of these reforms.

Practitioners advising clients in the mining sector, particularly those involved in artisanal gold mining, mineral trading, or related supply chains, must closely monitor the progress and specific requirements of this formalization campaign. It is imperative to proactively advise clients on the procedures for obtaining artisanal miner cards, forming GIEs, and strictly adhering to official export and traceability protocols. Businesses should review and update their due diligence processes to ensure compliance with evolving regulations and to mitigate legal and reputational risks associated with informal or illicitly sourced minerals. A proactive and robust compliance strategy is essential to navigate this evolving regulatory landscape.