Cameroon Gov't Reviews Mineral Exploitation Strategy. The first National Mineral Forum opened in Yaounde Yesterday. Mining experts from the private and public sectors,the civil society and non Government Organisations among others,will workout a new strategy for Cameroon to hasten and make efficient the exploitation of the country's rich mineral potential. Part's of it.
To establish mining tradition and discussing strategies to be implemented for the rapid development of a powerful mining sector.
According to the Minister of Industries,mines and Technological Development,Badel Ndanga Ndinga,who presided at the opening ceremony,only 40 per cent of the country's potentials have been explored;and this has given interesting results.In spite of the rich natural resource potentials,hydrocarbons excluded,minerals represent only 0.13 per cent of the Gross National Product"Badel said Research carried out so far since the 80s reveal mineral deposits,some of which are of international class.These include,the Cobalt and Nickel located in Lomie,The Ngaoundal and Minim-Martap bauxite and the Mbalam Iron Ore Deposits.
The Minister of Industries ,Mines and Technological Development who was accompanied in the opening ceremony by Mary Barton-Dock,Director of Operations at the World Bank Office in Yaounde,Essimi Menye and the Minister of Finance,and the Secretary of State at the Ministry of Industries,Mines and Technological Development.
From every indication, the authorities are not satisfied with the level of exploitation of existing minerals.Since 2001 only one exploration permit has been issued out to GEOCAM for the exploitation of Cobalt/Nickel in Nkamouna near Lomie and 86 permits delivered for research.
The development of the Mineral sector,Badel said will help cover the vacuum that could be created by the global crisis which are presently affecting other sectors of the economy.
Regards Westcott.
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