Mbalam Iron Ore : First Exploitation Announced For This Year

In line with accelerating construction works and the subsequent commissioning of major structural transformation projects, as instructed by the President of the Republic, Paul Biya, during his address to the nation on December 31, 2023, the Prime Minister, Head of Government, Joseph Dion Ngute yesterday January 25, 2024 chaired the inaugural cabinet meeting of the year which centred on evaluating measures taken to that effect. To the Prime Minister, it is crucial that government remains committed to the implementation of projects with huge socio-economic benefits, especially mining projects. It is thus against this backdrop that the Interim Minister of Mines, Industries and Technological Development, Prof. Fuh Calistus Gentry, presented progress made on iron ore mining projects and forthcoming steps. 
In his presentation, the interim Minister said the level of supervision on the project has changed, as they are now talking about the timetable when production will start for each project. “We are happy to say that this year 2024 will see the first exploitation of iron ore from Mbalam and from Grand Zambi,” he stated, while adding that exploitation for Sinosteel will commence in 2025. The government official said calculations indicate that the project will generate enormous income for the State, reason they are mobilising necessary resources to transform Cameroon from a nation of potential, to a nation of production. Prof Fuh Calistus Gentry also said various difficulties encountered have been presented to the Prime Minister and while waiting for the construction of a railway to easily transport the iron ore, the road transport system will be temporarily used. 
It is in this light that the Minister of Transport, Jean Ernest Ngalle Bibehe, presented railway and related transport infrastructure development processes required to optimise mining projects. To this effect, the Minister said two main projects have been prioritised; the construction of a 740km railway between Mbalam and Kribi, and the terminal at the Kribi deep sea port. According to ...