East region: 4 perished in traditional mines

During the past four weeks, an infant and his mother, a young boy of 7 years and another of 20 years, lost their lives in the mining town of Kambélé, located in Eastern Cameroon, the pro-government daily reports.

These four persons, we learn, drowned in the gold mines un-rehabilitated after traditional mining.

Indeed, these very large holes several metres deep, left gaping after being used, generally fill up with water and become little lakes which take away the lives of those who fall in by mistake.

According to the mining code in force in Cameroon, traditional mining operators have the duty of restoring these mines after operation. But, the latter often do not respect this obligation present in their contracts.

To the detriment of the populations living close to these traditional mines.