The National Mining Company (Sonamines) is tightening its grip on gold miners operating across Cameroon. Following a recent inspection tour in the Adamawa and East regions—key hubs for artisanal and semi-mechanized gold production—CEO Serge Hervé Boyogueno delivered a scathing assessment. Many operators are falling short of production targets, some are financially insolvent, and widespread environmental violations alongside opaque trade channels are undermining the state’s control over the sector.

Ground inspections expose critical weaknesses in gold mining

These regions dominate Cameroon’s gold industry, dominated by semi-mechanized companies and a vast network of artisanal miners. Sonamines’ mission was to evaluate permit holders’ compliance with contractual and regulatory obligations. The findings revealed a persistent gap between the commitments made when permits were granted and actual on-site productivity.

Numerous operators are failing to meet the production thresholds outlined in their agreements. For some, this underperformance is compounded by financial insolvency, leaving them unable to meet obligations to the state. On this issue, Sonamines’ CEO has deferred to the Ministry of Mines, which holds the sole authority to suspend or revoke permits. The state-owned company thus serves as the technical oversight body, while political authorities retain responsibility for enforcing sanctions.

Financial insolvency, environmental harm, and murky trade: a three-pronged challenge

Beyond financial shortcomings, the inspection uncovered alarming environmental lapses. Issues such as inadequate site rehabilitation, improper handling of mercury and cyanide-laden wastewater, and unsafe extraction zones remain unresolved. These failures endanger nearby communities and threaten the long-term viability of a sector that contributes significantly to the local economies of the East and Adamawa regions.

A second major concern lies in the commercialization of gold. A substantial portion of the extracted metal bypasses official channels, feeding into regional smuggling networks and depriving the public treasury of revenue while obstructing traceability. This opacity, long criticized by industry observers, contradicts Yaoundé’s stated goal of mineral sovereignty. Sonamines now plans to strengthen reporting requirements and expand certified collection points to tighten oversight.

Building a national strategic gold reserve

Sonamines’ most ambitious goal is the creation of a national strategic gold reserve. This initiative, inspired by policies adopted by several African central banks, aims to provide Cameroon with a metallic reserve to support monetary policy and act as a buffer against external shocks. The strategy aligns with similar efforts in neighboring gold-producing countries seeking to maximize the value of their natural resources.

Implementing this plan will require Sonamines to redirect a significant share of national production to its official channels. This depends on cleaning up the mining landscape, offering competitive purchasing prices compared to informal buyers, and collaborating closely with security forces and customs along border corridors. The Ministry of Mines’ upcoming decisions on non-compliant operators will play a decisive role in shaping outcomes.

The rollout of Cameroon’s mining reform faces a delicate balancing act. It must reconcile the need for contractual discipline, the preservation of informal employment in the sector, and the ambition to integrate gold into a framework of financial sovereignty. While the ministry has not yet announced a timeline, the findings from Sonamines’ mission will likely inform its next directives. The CEO has indicated plans to extend inspections to other production basins in the coming months.