A Critical Look at the Legal Framework Governing Mining Activities and Environmental Protection in Cameroon: What Prospects for Effective Implementation?

Abstract

In Cameroon in particular and the world at large, the exploration, exploitation and the processing of mineral resources by both private individuals and multinational companies has brought about severe and adverse impacts on the environment and the local population within and around the mining areas. This adverse impact ranges from environment degradation, pollution, diseases with dreadful consequence on livelihood and environmental sustainability. To prevent this deplorable situation, a plethora of International and Regional Conventions has been ratified by Cameroon and national legislations has been enacted with well established institutions aimed at regulating the mining activities thereby, protecting the environment and the local communities. Despite the existence of these laws, the rate of environmental degradation and untold sufferings amongst the local population as a result of mineral resources extraction is overwhelming. This state of affair continues to place doubts on the effectiveness of these legal instruments, meant to be the solution. This article therefore, seeks to examine the effectiveness of the existing legal instruments in regulating mining activities. The article also highlighted the impacts of mining activities on the environment and the hurdles in the implementation of mining regulations in protecting the environment and local population in Cameroon. In order to attain our objective, doctrinal methodology has been adopted. The conclusion of this article sums up the discussion with a note on the potential future trajectory in filling the identified lacunae of the laws in regulating mining activities and environmental protection in Cameroon.