A Central African Republic (CAR) parliamentary report has recommended that four Chinese-run gold mines be closed down because of health concerns and pollution.
BBC Newsday spoke to Father Aurelio Gazzera, an Italian Carmelite priest who works in the Bozoum region and has helped locals raise awareness of the health and environmental issues caused by the mines.
He has taken photos and videos and written about it in his blog.
He said people living near the Ouham river had been drinking and washing in the river, which had been infected by chemicals used at the mines, including mercury and cyanide.
Infant mortality had increased since mining started, the priest said.
Father Gazzera also said that since workers from elsewhere had arrived in the area, there had been an increase in cases of local women being raped, along with prostitution.
He said local people were “very happy” that the mines could be closed.
