Cameroonians yet to relish spin-offs of their mineral resources

Only 40% of Cameroon's mineral resources explored

From 1960 to 1990 government, in collaboration with internationally renowned institutions such as the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Office of Geological and Mining Research (BRGM) carried out studies to ascertain Cameroon’s mineral potential.

Over 167 exploration licenses have been granted miners, proof of the country’s wealth.

However, only about 40% of the territory’s mining data is available suggesting that there are still enormous mineral resources to be explored in Cameroon.

Currently, five mining licenses have already been granted; to the Geovic Company for the exploitation of nickel, cobalt and manganese in Nkamouna (Lomié), the C and K Mining Company Incorporated for diamond and accompanying substances in Mobilong (Yokadouma), and three operating permits for the extraction of limestone and marble.

Cam Iron, a subsidiary of Australia’s Sundance Resources and Cameroon Alumina Limited are currently negotiating mining agreements with the State of Cameroon for iron ore in Mbalam by Sundance and bauxite in Mini Martap for Cameroon Alumina.

Though its economic weight is not clearly evaluated, a deposit of three million tons of rutile reserves exists in Akonolinga, Centre Region. These reserves are larger and extend over a vast area of more than 30,000 km on the outskirts of the Centre, South, Coastline, East and West.

Fifty uranium targets have been identified, most of which form geochemical anomalies that were identified by systematic mining inventory work conducted from 1978 to 1987 in the Southeast by the UN and in the Southwest by the French Bureau of Geological and Mining Research. Mega Uranium Company holds exploration permits, and is currently carrying out research work at Poli and Teubang in the North, Lolodorf in the South and Ngombas in the Centre.

According to the Ministry of the Economy, Planning and Regional Development, a uranium deposit of more than 1,300 tons was discovered at Poli. But the real potential of Cameroon is unknown.

At least five targets of graphite are identified in Lom around Bétaré-Oya, Yingui to the North-East of Douala and Mayo Boula in the Far North.

As for Titanium, more than 65 targets were identified.

Tin has 17 targets. There are two indices of Copper, about 50 targets of Lead, approximately 12 indices of Zinc.

2.5 million tons of marble, Limestone about 600,000 tons of reserves, large deposits of Pozzolana in volcanic areas of the Southwest, West and Northwest, sand and gravel river. Not only are there industrial quantities of sand as a building material and servicing, but there is also pure sand for glass.