By Patrice André Pa’ ahCAFT/ GACF

Caft.cameroun@gmail.comm

RIGHTS OF COMMUNITIES CONFRONTED WITH EXCLUSIVE

MINING ZONES: THE CASE OF COMMUNITIES NEIGHBORING

THE MBALAM IRON-ORE BED IN THE NGOLYA REGION

LOCATION OF THE TRANSBORDER MINING ZONE (CAMEROON, CONGO AND GABON)

From 1994 to 2004 the whole Congo Basin zone was focused on conservation of wildlife and forest resources;

Creation and identification of critical ecology zones “zones à écologie critique » by USAID/CARPE (Ex: TRIDOM)

Since 2005, the local debate is changing and getting polarized on substantial State mining projects

MINING ZONES IN THE “TRIDOM” CAMEROUN

Cobalt and Nickel project exploitation of Nkamouna (Lomié)

Iron exploitation project of Mbalam (Ngoyla)

REAL THREATS ON THE FORESTS AND FAUNA

There will be the disappearance of the forests and fauna of the strip/ open-cast mining exploitation

Serious threats on traditional and customary activities of local communities living in the mining areas

SERIOUS NEGATIVE IMPACTS ON UNDERGROUND AND SURFACE WATER

The only water tower of the area will be affected by the iron exploitation

There will be disappearance of the river where the water tower rise in

Emergence of new transboundary conflicts from shared water among countries

THREATS TO TRANSBORDER COMMUNITIES’ RIGHTS

Insecure forest and land rights of communities adjacent to the Mbalam mining zone

Inability to establish community forests and, as a result, the inability to plan for future use of communities’ forest resources

Lack of boundary lines and unclear borders between Cameroon, Congo and Gabon

Potential negative impacts for communities in the three countries as regards surface water quality during the upcoming open-air iron-ore mining project

Misunderstanding and lack of awareness of transborder legislation concerning mining, forestry and water across borders (related to negative impacts caused by mining)

THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR ATTENTION !!!