Cameroon search for investors to exploit the ‘rutile’ deposit in Akonolinga

The Cameroonian Government has recently launched 'an international notice of appeal' for expressions of interest for the pre-selection of companies or groupings, with a view to the award of a mining title on a ‘rutile’ block in the Republic of Cameroon.

Interested candidates have until January 30, 2015, to send their files to the secretariat of the Director of Mines or the Ministry of industry, Mines and technological development in Yaoundé.

But above all, these applicants must ensure that they fulfill the following conditions: "have experience in Africa and have a global and annual operating income in the mining sector of $ 150 million (approximately 75 billion CFA francs) over the past five years; justify the quality of past experiences in implementing successful exploitation of mining integrated projects requiring the design, construction and operation of heavy infrastructure of transport and evacuation; justify technical and financial capabilities sufficient for the financing of integrated projects for obtaining the mining title...".

Although the ‘rutile ‘deposit covered by this call for expression of interest is not specified, we know that the deposit that matters the most in the country is that of Akonolinga, located in the central region. Its potential is estimated at 300 million tonnes, according to the strategy for growth and employment (OCSG).

The framework of support for mining crafts (Capam), government program intended to frame the artisanal miners, stresses that the rutile deposit in Akonolinga, reserves wider and extend over a vast area of more than 30 000 km on the outskirts of the regions of the Centre, South, coastal, Eastern and Western; has been explored by the Free Mining Company, in association with the American company Gilla. But the permit was withdrawn in June 2013 for the benefit of Sicamines, an English entity.