AMN - Discoveries bode well for Cameroon – comment by Yolanda Torrisi

Sometimes data collected for large institutions can prompt us to take another look at countries on the continent. Take Cameroon as an example, where World Bank-funded researchers have discovered 300 new mineable sites.

By helping fund a project in the former French republic on the Gulf of Guinea, the banking institution was able to discover the potential mine sites the Cameroon Government has now deemed are in need of exploration.

The potential mine sites were discovered in the country’s 10 regions and feature ground prospective for gold, sapphires, zinc, rare earth, uranium, nickel, rutile or titanium and manganese.

Cameroon is a Central African nation of about 24 million people which is neighboured by countries such as Nigeria, the Central African Republic and the Republic of the Congo.

The country has a known crime problem and its rural population struggles with poverty but it is rich in natural resources.

Previously only 40% of its territory had been explored for minerals but now that figure has expanded as the country seeks an economic incentive to move past internal conflicts and focus on more productive futures.

Cameroon for Mines and Technological Development Minister Dodo Ndocké has noted the new discoveries and considers the country has increased its potential for mineral resources.

The country’s mineral prospectivity presents an opportunity for the continent’s explorers and discoverers further abroad who are willing to tackle sometimes isolated terrain to firm up resources and define mineral deposits.

Every so often it pays to reassess the suitability of a country for exploration and investment.

New prospects and resources are an opportunity for potential new operations.

But it takes commitment to firm up resources and plan an operation that can make it to full production. It’s time to consider once again whether this is a good move.

Regardless of the assessment, new discoveries are exciting and an encouraging sign of change.  

- Yolanda Torrisi is Chairperson of The African Mining Network and comments on African mining issues and the growing global interest in the continent. Contact: yolanda@yolandatorrisi.com