By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo
Prof. Calistus Gentry Fuh, the interim Minister of Mines, Industries, and Technological Development (MINMIDT), has initiated negotiations for mining conventions (agreements) between the State of Cameroon and several mining companies.
The launching ceremony took place on Thursday, September 19, in Ebolowa, South Region. Minister Fuh was accompanied by the Governor of the South Region, along with director generals of mining companies and local authorities.
The negotiations involve the State of Cameroon and the companies CAMINA S.A, CAMINEX S.A, and Oriole Cameroon 2 Sarl. These companies are seeking to exploit the Ngovayang, Ntem, and Djoum III iron deposits in the Southern region and the Bibémi gold deposit in the Northern region.
Speaking after the launch, Minister Fuh described the event as a “historic moment,” given that Cameroon is showcasing the continent’s largest iron ore corridor in the African continent. He added that Cameroon is embarking on another “crucial phase” in the procedure that will enable her mining deposits to be exploited.
“We have chosen Ebolowa because of the six projects that are found in Cameroon, five of which are located in the South Region,” he said adding, “Today, we are adding three new mining projects in the iron ore sector, all of which are also in the South Region,” he said.
While emphasizing that the country’s first gold mine is located in the North, the Minister stated that mining in the North is conducted according to industry standards reason why there is need to ensure that the sector in the East Region is also well-regulated and professional.
According to the Minister, citizen education will continue to ensure that Cameroon develops an industrial mining sector that is environmentally friendly and does not exploit children.
“Today, Cameroon has taken a significant step towards completing its dominance in innovations…There is no other African country with such a regional corporation in mining infrastructure,” he said. “Mining has come to stay; Cameroonians should get used to it.”
Meanwhile, the different directors of the mining companies present during the lunching ceremony expressed their gratitude to the government, noting their excitement to work with both the government and local communities to ensure that “everyone benefits.”
Martin Rosser, CEO of Oriole Cameroon 2 Sarl, said he was drawn to Cameroon by the government’s strong commitment to developing a significant and valuable mining industry.
“The country has excellent geology,” he stated. “I am delighted to be here and for my company to be in Cameroon, focusing on the gold sector, which is a very important opportunity for the country. We believe that the geology is highly promising for many gold mines, and we already have evidence from our first project of a world-class gold deposit.”
It’s worth noting that research conducted by the companies led to the identification of deposits suitable for industrial exploitation. They subsequently submitted applications to MINMIDT for exploitation permits, along with feasibility studies and draft mining agreements.
The negotiations launched by Minister Fuh will proceed in several stages, including internal consultation, examination of the State’s counter-proposal, and obtaining the prior consent of local communities. This process will ultimately result in the drafting of consensual mining agreements that will be subject to broader consultation with sectoral administrations.
Among other things, the internal consultation will involve a residential workshop between MINMIDT and SONAMINES. This workshop will examine the compliance of the draft agreements with Law no. 2023/014 of 19 December 2023 on the Mining Code, identify the State’s key positions, and develop the State’s counter-proposal to be sent to the mining companies concerned.
This consultation will also raise awareness among all stakeholders about the progress of the mining projects, identify the real needs of the local population in terms of social projects, and address any concerns from the local community.
Additionally, local communities will designate representatives of the local population to participate in inter-ministerial consultations, ensuring that their grievances are effectively considered in the draft agreements.
The consultations will also raise awareness among the concerned Councils about the special local capacity development account, which will be used to implement local content.
In terms of economic benefits, the Government anticipates reducing unemployment through the creation of direct and indirect jobs, infrastructural development, a significant contribution to the tax base, as well as development of the project area and its surrounding towns among others.
Regarding environmental and social issues, the Government aims for the deployment of these projects to be in harmony with relevant social, cultural, and environmental values and standards. This involves using modern techniques and technologies that respect human health and the environment.
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