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Cameroon gold smuggling probe, tax crackdown, permit freeze

Updated 2 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

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2026-08-02 08:16 UTC → 2026-08-26 09:06 UTC · added removed

Investigations in July 2026 revealed a massive gap between Cameroon’s reported gold exports (148 kg) and shipments recorded in Dubai (44 tonnes), pointing to a $3.4 billion smuggling network that allegedly involved state officials, Chinese promoters promoters, and the state mining firm Sonamines. An independent report, ‘L’or, avenir du Cameroun ? Le trésor qui s’évade’, further estimated that Cameroon loses approximately 10 tonnes of gold annually to illegal routes, primarily toward Dubai, representing a loss of 850 billion CFA francs per year. The report noted that roughly 200 illegal companies, over 95% of which are foreign-owned and predominantly Chinese, operate in the Adamaoua and East regions. In response, the Ministry of Mines, Industry and Technological Development announced a large‑scale large-scale crackdown starting 1 August 2026 to collect over US$500 million in unpaid taxes and duties. The operation, based on a 2023 EITI report, will inspect operation targets 51 companies that under‑reported under-reported output and 33 recently identified unregistered sites, deploy mixed tax‑customs‑treasury teams, and roll out a real‑time gold‑production tracking system. Officials aim to raise roughly 300 billion CFA francs in 2026, potentially making mining sites. To curb smuggling, the chief source of state revenue. A briefing on 28 July confirmed that undeclared gold shipments over has suspended all extractions, designated SONAMINES as the past five years caused a fiscal loss of about CFAF 577.5 billion, with only 1.9 tonnes officially recorded versus 46.2 tonnes actually exported. The Directorate General sole legal buyer of Taxes national gold, and Customs will now participate directly in gold collection at mining sites alongside SONAMINES. In the first quarter of 2026, hydrocarbon imports rose to CFAF 274.3 billion while crude‑oil export earnings fell 14 % amid begun establishing a partial shutdown of the Sonara refinery. sovereign gold reserve. On 2 August the state mining corporation August, SONAMINES also suspended the issuance and renewal of mining permits for gold and diamond purchase offices, affecting roughly 200 dealers. The miners’ union SYNAPROBADIOCAM warned the this freeze could push “blocks the formalisation of 200 purchase offices and fuels illicit trade,” potentially pushing trade into informal channels, reduce state channels. Amidst these reforms, the government aims to transition from oil to mining as its primary revenue source, with projected mining earnings of $1.75 billion. This shift is supported by infrastructure developments, including the Kribi Logistics Hub and exacerbate smuggling, highlighting ongoing challenges in formalising artisanal mining. proposed rail corridors to facilitate bauxite and other mineral exports.

Versions

  1. 2026-08-26 09:06 UTC Cameroon gold smuggling probe, tax crackdown, permit freeze
  2. 2026-08-02 08:16 UTC Cameroon gold smuggling probe, tax crackdown, permit freeze
  3. 2026-07-28 22:44 UTC Cameroon mining boom, gold smuggling probe, tax crackdown

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