The government of Cameroon has launched the country’s first enclosed gold ore processing unit. Spearheaded by companies Codias, Yucam, and Xin Wang, this innovative facility situated in Kana promises higher production efficiency, increased gold recovery rates, and reduced environmental impact compared to traditional open systems.
Minister Fuh Calistus Gentry emphasized the benefits of this new processing system, highlighting its potential to minimize resource wastage and environmental footprint while combating issues like child labor and hazardous chemical use in artisanal mining operations.
Positive impacts
“This system for processing mineralized gravel in a closed tank will significantly reduce the waste of resources, marking a significant change from the precarious situation that currently prevails in the East and Adamaoua regions. It will also significantly reduce the environmental hazards of the mining industry as it is practiced today using methods that are three centuries old,” said Minister Fuh Calistus Gentry.
With plans to establish 10 enclosed system operations across the country, the government aims to completely abandon artisanal methods, which often involve harmful practices like the use of mercury and cyanide. Operators in the sector have been urged to transition to enclosed processing units, with a six-month deadline set for existing permit holders to comply with the new requirement or risk permit withdrawal.
