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Cameroon Villagers Say Chinese Miners Are Ruining Local Environment

Moki Edwin Kindzeka

   MEIGANGA, CAMEROON - Villagers nearMeiganga, a town in northern
   Cameroon, are protesting against Chinese gold miners for allegedly
   ruining theirland. The villagers say they are poorer than before the
   Chinese arrived, with their farms and forests now destroyed.

   Area cattle ranchers and farmerssaythat if nothing is done to save them
   from Chinese miners, famine may strike their localitysoon.

   Their spokesman,rancherMamouduPoro, 54,says the miners destroy farms
   and do notbother to cover holes and trenches they dig on roads and
   ranches before leaving. He says they want the Chinese to build the
   roads they destroyed and fill the trenches they dug, give them
   electricity and at least a school and a market before leaving.

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