Cameroon has launched a major operation to recover an estimated $680 billion in unpaid tax and customs revenue linked to the country’s gold mining industry.
The initiative targets the production of around 17 tonnes of gold and forms part of the government’s broader efforts to tighten oversight of the mining sector and boost its contribution to the national economy.
Authorities plan to strengthen controls at mining sites by introducing minimum delivery requirements, improving monitoring throughout the gold recovery process and enhancing the traceability of production.
The move follows concerns over significant discrepancies between the volumes of gold produced and the amounts declared by mining companies, a gap the government believes has resulted in substantial losses in tax and customs revenue.
The operation will focus on mining operators in the East and Adamaoua regions as officials seek to regain greater control of the country’s gold industry.
Cameroon’s mining sector has long faced criticism for generating limited returns for the state despite the country’s mineral wealth. The latest crackdown signals a renewed push to improve transparency, increase revenue collection and ensure the sector delivers greater economic benefits.
Main Image: Lawyard
