(Business in Cameroon) - According to the Cameroonian government, the bauxite potential of Cameroon ranks fifth in the world. There are deposits in Minim Martap near Ngaoundal, north of Cameroon. Hydromine Inc. that obtained the exploration license of the two deposits in 2005 passed it to Cameroon Alumina Limited (CAL) in August 2009. CAL is a joint venture of Dubai Aluminium (45%), Hindalco Indian (45%) and American Hydromine (10%).

Based on the exploration results, the bauxite reserves are estimated at 554 million tons. Mineable reserves are valued at 458 million tons of ore, while CAL believes that additional reserves from 100 to 200 million tons could also be defined. CAL envisages the exploitation of 1.5 million tons of bauxite per year, thus making Cameroon the first African producer ahead of Guinea Conakry with 700,000 tons.

Six billion

According to the Cameroon government, the total project cost is estimated at 6 billion dollars (100 million is planned for the mine and 4 billion for the refinery and other infrastructure).

The company has applied for a permit and expects to obtain the mining agreement after negotiations. Discussions are centered on the construction of railway to enable the transportation of bauxite to the port of Kribi because in the financing plan with CAL the construction of a rail is not included.

The company wants the State of Cameroon to construct the railway. Alpha Barry, the project representative in Cameroon, stated that the company had agreed to carry out the studies for these infrastructures. “CAL endorses bankable expenses of feasibility studies on the transport infrastructure to be built and then we look for a partner to provide the funds to bear costs," he had told the country’s bilingual daily, Cameroon Tribune in 2010.

Other Sites

At Fongo Tongo near Dschang in the Western Region, there are 46 million tons at an average grade of 47% alumina. Studies are still underway to determine the cost of the project. In Bangem, South-West Region, reserve deposits are estimated at 19 million tons, expandable to 30 million tons. Another four million tons are located in Foumban in the West Region, says CAPAM.

BOD