Communities in Cameroon Demand Justice as Chinese-funded Iron Mining Project Advances, 8 March, 2025

The Lobé-Kribi Iron Ore Project in Cameroon is a large-scale mining initiative designed to exploit a major iron ore deposit. Led by Sinosteel Cam S.A., a subsidiary of the Chinese state-owned Sinosteel Corporation Ltd, the project encompasses extensive infrastructure developments, including a mine, processing facilities, transport networks, and a mineral terminal. Once fully operational, it aims to extract 10 million tons of ore per year.

A mid-February report by the local NGO Youth for Promotion of Development (YPD) warned that the project poses serious social and environmental risks, threatening the health, livelihoods, and cultural heritage of communities in the Lobé-Kribi region.

[...]

A consultation mechanism with local communities, though framed as an exercise in transparency, was riddled with flaws. Key information was withheld, independent experts were excluded, and local community concerns were disregarded. [...]

Community leaders who have expressed their disagreement have received threats, and a politically influential leader has imposed a silencing order, forbidding villagers from speaking about the project.

Neither Sinosteel nor Cameroon’s government has commented on the procedures adopted to consult with the impacted communities or to inform them of the measures taken to mitigate environmental and health risks.

The study carried out by YPD outlined serious environmental risks associated with the project. Mining runoff and leachates may contaminate the Lobé and Likodo rivers, the ocean, and Manyange na Elombo Campo Marine Park. A site visit confirmed early signs of water quality deterioration, even before mining operations began. [...]

Air quality will also be impacted. [...] The project threatens tropical forests, wetlands, and endemic species, particularly in Campo Ma’an National Park and Manyangué na Elombo Campo Marine Park, home to a unique turtle species found nowhere else in the world.

The social impacts are also enormous. The entire village of Lolabé will need to be displaced due to the construction of the mineral terminal. Sacred and historical sites in Ebodjé, Malaba, and Mbendji are at risk of destruction. [...]

The people of Lolabé village, which will be home to the ore terminal, are demanding fair compensation and resettlement plans that respect their rights and livelihoods.

There has been strong local opposition, with petitions and complaints led by community leaders [...] Despite this, government officials have largely dismissed these real concerns faced by the people of Campo district, and there are reports of intimidation against vocal critics.

[...]