This results in turn in a very heavy administrative burden, which jeopardises sometimes the evaluation of investment opportunities for which decisions must be made quickly. In summary, the mining sector is still not a priority in Cameroon's development strategy. Currently, the Ministry of Mines is in the process of revising the Mining Code, with the help of the World Bank, and aims at presenting a new code in 1998. The intent is to decrease the role of the State in mining operations as well as its discretionary powers, and at the same time to increase its role as a supervisor and regulator of the mining sector. Environmental aspects will also be addressed by the new code.
All mineral resources belong to the State.
National subsidiaries are allowed.