FYI...
Nothing exciting, but Mbalam Nabeba project gets a mention.
The third last sentence is interesting!The Interim Minister of Mines, Industry and Technological Development, Prof Fuh Calistus Gentry, has outlined the impacts of some key projects of his ministry on economy and in improving the lives of citizens.He was speaking during a press conference at the ongoing Fair on Government Action better known by the French acronym as SAGO. The fair which is in its 13th edition, began July 20 and will close on Saturday July 27.
The minister was accompanied during the press conference Wednesday, July 24, by the Director of Mines, Aristide Mimbang; Director of Geology, Kareen Agbor Ojong; and the Director of Technological Development Industrial Property, Eugene Gaspard Bapdom.
Speaking during the press conference, minister said following the directives of the Head of State, President Paul Biya, some five mining projects including Kribi-Lolabe, Bipindi-Grand Zambi, Mbalam-Nabeba, and Ngovayang iron ore projects as well as Colomine small scale gold mining project.
He said these projects are effectively ongoing will not only boost the country’s economy but will present the country as a mining hub in the subregion and Africa.
“We wanted to assure Cameroonians that the effective start of project announced by the Head of State are on good footing,” the minister said, adding that “for three projects, constructions are ongoing notably the Kribi-Lolabe, Bipindi-Grand Zambi and Mbalam”.
He also said the project for the exploration of the Bauxite in Minim Matarp, Vina Division in the Adamawa Region has been restructured and that the signing of the mining convention is eminent.
“We are happy to announced that the project has been restructured and there will be transformation of bauxite to aluminum as an important element of the project. The aspects of transportation, mining, transformation centre have been taken into consideration during the elaboration of the mining convention,” Prof Fuh Calistus said.
Regarding the holding of the recent Cameroon International Mining and Exhibition Convention, CIMEC 2024, the member of government noted the there has been several fallouts with several mining deals negotiated and signed.
He said the Cameroon’s model of implementation of mining projects and management of related issues of the sector was hailed as exemplary during the CIMEC.
In this light, he noted that countries like Equatorial Guinea and Republic of Congo have already send delegations to understudy the Cameroon model.
Determined to preserve environment
During his declaration, the minister also expressed government firm resolved to end the disorder around mining activities in the East region.
He explained that a recent closed-system gold processing introduced in Kette, Kadey Division of the East Region is a major breakthrough in government’s move to preserve the environment and population and transparency in the sector
Citing typical mining towns like Batouri, the member of government said special measures have been taken to ensure mining is not carried out within 41km around the town to avoid tragic occurrences.
In addition, the MINMIDT boss reiterated the ban place on the sale of gravels by any public-owned quarries and actions taken against collaborators acting in complicity for such deals.Import-substitution policy being implemented
He also mentioned that the press outing was equally to present the implementation of government’s import-substitution policy within the mining sector with more measured being implemented to aid the economy.
In this regard, he cited the recent inauguration of the CIMPOR Cameroon cement plant in the Kribi industrial zone by the Prime Minister, Dr Chief Dion Ngute.
The cement factory, he affirmed, will valorise locally available clay, thereby reducing the quantities of imported clinkers by 25 to 40%.
“We have also elaborated on the link between mining and industry like the cement factory we recently inaugurated. We are using clays to replace clinkers and that goes a long way to helping in import-substitution. We are using cocoa shells to replace coal which goes a lot in import substitution,” he enlightened.
Technological development
According to Prof Fuh Calistus, the department of technological development under his ministry, is strategic to powering the country’s drive towards a digital economy.
Amongst other measures, he said, the ministry will be organising the National Technological Days aimed at showcasing technological discoveries and innovations as well as for exchanges on the development of the sector in the country.
“We have also touched an aspect of intellectual property which will be marking the National Technological Days as a focal point following the visit of the DG of the World Intellectual Property Organisation. We want to show the transversal nature of our ministry like mining is a primary material that along the way is transformed and for this transformation to take place it needs technology,” he asserted.
Denies unfounded reports
He equally described certain media reports of the issuance of over 50 mining exploration license to an Australian firm as baseless stating that the said company has never applied nor been awarded such license.
In a bid to enhance transparency, he encouraged the public to visit the ministry’s official online platforms to access all relevant details on mining convention, licenses, projects and related issues under the command of his ministry.
He also announced the setting up of a commission to carry out a comparative study on the country’s potential, governance system, laws and other with other African countries.
