At annual confab of services, structures: Prof Fuh Calistus unveils roadmap for mines ministry in 2024.

The Interim Minister of Mines, Industry and Technological Development, Prof Fuh Calistus Gentry, has unveiled the 2024 roadmap of the ministry.

The MINMIDT boss rolled out the ministry’s plan of activities in Yaounde January 25. This was at the start of a two-day Annual Conference of Central, Decentralised Services and Sub structures attached to the ministry.

The confab is holding under the theme: “From geological potential to the production of mining deposits”.

The gathering which ends today January 26, has brought together regional delegates, heads of services and departments of the ministry as well as heads of affiliated structures.

Opening the two-day gathering, Prof Fuh Calistus underlined the key role the ministry has been assigned in the process of achieving the country’s 2035 emergence vision as envisaged by the President of the Republic, Paul Biya.

According to the MINMIDT boss, 2023 was marked by the implementation of instructions of the President of the Republic, for the kick-start of three major mining projects; namely the exploitation of the Kribi-Lobe Iron Ore deposit by Sinosteel Cameroon, the Mbalam-Nabeba Iron Ore deposit by Cameroon Mining Company and the Bipindi-Grand Zambi Iron Ore by G-Stones Resources. 

He said other projects classified as short-term, whose launch have been authorised by the Head of State, with the exception of the Cobalt-nickel-manganese mining project at Nkamouna, have kicked-off with the first exports of iron ore from the Grand Zambi and Mbalam projects expected this year. 

Impact on country’s economy

Going by Prof Fuh Calistus, the mining projects launched last year will contribute to sustainable and inclusive economic growth of the country.

“I would like to make it clear that the issue of the industrialisation of mining in Cameroon is a ‘vital issue’ for the country. Such a proactive attitude is based on the ‘primacy of mining policy’ on the scale of national public policies,” he stated.

With the country planning to emerge by 2035, the minister told collaborators and stakeholders that Cameroon urgently needs to put its mining sector in order to ensure it is more profitable for the State. 

“…to achieve this, it is vital to increase production yields and reduce the impact of mining on the environment,” Prof Fuh Calistus stated. 

“Also, the introduction of the secure consignment note, by the 2023 Finance Act is a life-saving innovation in terms of monitoring and recording statistical data within the mining sector at a time Cameroon is beginning its first industrial mining production,” he added.

Concerted efforts

Acknowledging that the launch of the different mining projects is a concerted effort by the State, investors in the sector and donors, he reiterated that more of such synergy is expected this year. 

“I therefore urge each and every one of you to invest yourselves personally and fully throughout the proceedings, so that relevant and concrete resolutions emerge from these meetings, reflecting the vitality of your intelligence and the wealth of your experience, so that more than ever before, the Ministry of the Economy, Finance and Industry can play the role that has been devolved to it,” he implored.

He added: “It is imperative and urgent for MINMIDT to assume its full responsibility in the national mining reconstruction, to allow manufacturing activities to play a leading role in the consolidation of the national economy and, more specifically, in the formation of the gross domestic product”.

The session was marked by a series of panel discussions and presentations on production and exploitation of the first iron ore deposits, local processing of mining products in the context of import-substitution policy and restructuring the exploration of semi-mechanised gold mining in order to increase State reserves while respecting the environment. 

At the end of the deliberations, recommendations on strategic actions were formulated aimed at developing synergies to promote mining in Cameroon.