The governments of Cameroon and Congo have announced plans to re-launch the cross border Mbalam Iron Ore mining project.
The Minister of Mining Industries and Geology of Congo, Pierre Oba confirmed the plans and said that discussions are ongoing over the project with Cameroonian. The Mbalam is a project that incorporates two deposits, Mbarga in Cameroon and Nabeba in the Republic of Congo (RoC).
The project straddles the border between the two countries and is approximately 320 kilometres away from Yaounde, the capital of Cameroon, and 510 kilometres away from the coast. Mbalam could potentially produce 40 Mtpa but there is substantial uncertainty surrounding the project’s development.
Stages of the project
Sundance has had progressive 6-month agreements with the Government of Cameroon which have been dependent on the company being able to show progress on the projects funding but it is currently suspended and requires reinstatement. On the Congo side, the Nabeba Mining Convention with the Government of the Republic of Congo remains in place.
The first stage of the project is set to focus on producing Direct Shipping Ore-quality high grade hematite. The second stage of the mine life will be the continued production at 35Mtpa of ltabirite Hematite for at least a further 20 years.
With the project essentially fully permitted and high quality resources and ore reserves defined, sourcing the funds required for the stage one integrated mine, rail and port project is the current key focus.
Cameroon and Congo, two brotherly and neighbouring countries have had growing diversified cooperation ties since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1960. Cooperation agreements guide the cooperation in the areas of air transport, cultural scientific and technical domains. The cooperation is palpable through either completed or ongoing integration projects. The Sangmelima-Ouesso 651 km road project linking the two countries is ongoing. The Cameroon-Congo Inter-State University based in Sangmelima, South Region of Cameroon is operational. Other projects involving the two countries include; construction of the Chollet Hydro-electric plant, interconnection through optical fibre and the twinning of the cities of Sangmelima in South Cameroon and Owando in Congo