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Prof Fuh Calistus announces start of Mbalam-Nabeba Iron Ore Project in August.

• by Doh Bertrand Nua
• 07 Jun 2023 09:02

The mega iron ore exploitation project by Cameroon and the Republic of Congo, dubbed: Mbalam-Nabeba Iron Ore Project, has had a major breakthrough.

This follows the announced laying of the foundation stone in the month of August to kick-start the cross-border project worth billions of FCFA in revenue and iron ore deposits estimated at hundreds of millions of tonnes.

The announcement was made by the Secretary of State, Interim Minister of Mines, Industry and Technological Development, Prof Fuh Calistus Gentry.

The member of government made the pronouncement in Ouesso, Sangha Division of the Republic of Congo. He was speaking at the start of a three-day workshop on practical modalities to kick-start the iron ore exploitation project.

The well-coordinated gathering provides a platform for participants from both nations to reflect on issues to be resolved before the exploitation phase to kick-off the project which experts say is a pricy economic catch for both countries.

The high-level meeting was opened by Congo’s Minister of State, Minister of Mining Industries and Geology, Pierre Oba.

Oba laid emphasis on the stakes involved for both countries. He harped on the management of revenue, environmental concerns, safety and security, employment, energy, telecommunications and infrastructure.

Foundation stone to be laid in August

Prof Fuh Calistus, who is leading a delegation of Cameroon’s experts at the workshop, said the government has, over the last few months, “been in constant contact with Best Way Financial Resources and Cameroon Mining Company, to ensure that all the necessary measures are in place for the effective start-up of the project”.

“At the end of these consultations, I am pleased to announce that the laying of the foundation stone for the development of the railway infrastructure linking Nabeba to Kribi is scheduled to take place in Ntam, Cameroon, at the end of August 2023,” Prof Fuh Calistus declared.

He used the opportunity to officially extend the invitation of the government of Cameroon, to Congo, to visit the site at the beginning of August 2023, in order to make the technical and diplomatic arrangements necessary for the holding of the “worthy event”.

The meeting, Prof Fuh Calistus said, was a great privilege for experts from both nations to once more discuss issues relating to the sovereign management of their natural resources, in a spirit of safeguarding the present and future interests.

“Indeed, the management of the Mbalam-Nabeba Iron Ore mega project is a challenge that translates into action the irreversible determination of our two Heads of State, to see this project get off the ground, as an exemplary example of South-South cooperation, helping to consolidate Subregional cooperation,” Prof Fuh Calistus said.

Time for procrastination over

Cameroon, Prof Fuh Calistus said, “can no longer afford to be left behind in the mining sector”. He insisted that the “time for procrastination is over”.

The member of government recalled that following the announcement by the Head of State, H.E Paul Biya, in his December 31, 2022, prescribing the start-up of three major iron ore projects including Mbalam, Kribi-lobé and Akom II, government has identified twelve mining projects in the country, including five that are due to start in 2023.

He was clear that after West Africa and Southern Africa, the time has come for Central Africa to make its mark in the mining industry and become its hub.

He disclosed that in the context of valourising the mining sector that Cameroon plans to organise the International Conference on Mining and Expositions, CIMEC, in 2024, with plans to welcome the Republic of Congo as co-organiser.

Project to help strengthen ties

Prof Fuh Calistus was optimistic that the development of the Mbalam iron ore deposit in Cameroon and the Nabeba iron ore deposit in Congo would help strengthen the fraternal relations that have always existed between both countries.

He said the holding of the meeting shows the strong determination and commitment of the Heads of State of both nations to work together, in strict compliance with the principles of sovereignty, to overcome all the challenges that may hinder the start of the project and define the axes of its effectiveness.

“This project, worth 35 million tonnes of high-quality products per year, will bring considerable benefits to our two countries, which will obviously improve the quality of life of our fellow citizens,” he said.

The multiple gains of the project, the member of government said, can be assessed in terms of jobs, tax and customs revenues, contribution to environmental rehabilitation and restoration, collection of the state's share in production and other substantial revenues linked to the local processing of ores and impact on the cost of products derived from this activity.

He said Cameroon remains open to the optimisation of iron ore on both sides of the borders in order to guarantee added value from the production in interest of both countries.

“In addition, with regard to the iron ore processing aspect of the project, a feasibility study conducted by Prometal is currently underway to determine the exact location of the processing unit: Nabeba, Mbalam or Kribi, depending on the energy equation. The products produced by this unit will be used to supply Central Africa in general,” Prof Fuh Calistus stated.

He noted that cross-border labour concerns will also be taken into account during deliberations in view of the timeframes and history of exploitation of the deposits located on either side of the borders.

The Minister said the transportation of ore is an essential variable that underpins the idea of more sustained cooperation in the life cycle of the mega-project.

These issues, he said, stem from the need to ensure that the joint actions of both nations are coherent, in the best interests of the current populations as well as future generations.

“It is therefore a great opportunity for Cameroon and Congo, and a hope for the Central African Subregion, to see two brotherly countries working hand in hand to consolidate their common interests,” he said.

Source:
https://theguardianpostcameroon.com/post/1208/en/prof-fuh-calistus-announces-start-of-mbalam-nabeba-iron-ore-project-in-august