Environmental impact of artisanal and small-scale gold mining in East Cameroon, Sub-Saharan Africa: An overview

The East Region of Cameroon is a crucial area for mining activities. Over the past 20 years, there has been growing research into the potential environmental impacts of artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) in this region. Both in the short and long term, this type of mining can generate numerous health, environmental and socioeconomic impacts that can be measured using diverse methods. This study analyzes impacts of ASGM in some mining districts of this part of Cameroon through literature review. Four categories of mining-induced hazards have been considered: water and stream sediments, soil and mine tailings, health, society, and economy, and land use/cover change. The majority of studies have focused on the impacts on water and soil in the Betare-Oya and Batouri mining areas. Generally, the natural waters of Betare-Oya and Batouri are contaminated in Fe, Mn, Cu, Ni Cr and As, Cr, Pb, V, Zn, respectively. The soils in Betare-Oya are the most impacted by heavy metals due to the artisanal gold mining techniques employed. Point sources of contamination were identified to occur around active and abandoned mine sites. Additionally, socioeconomic and land use/cover risk assessments have been analyzed. The collaboration between different institutions and stakeholders can enhance the development of large databases, expertise, and technology for a better understanding of potential risks in the region and decision making. Finally, the use of GIS-based modeling for the assessment of mining-generated impacts should be expanded in the region. This approach is useful in handling geospatial data related to hazards caused by mining and for ensuring a long-term survey to monitor the evolution of contamination in natural waters, bottom sediments, and soils in the region.