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Cameroon's extractive sector generated CFA 1,416 Bn in 2022 (up 82% from 776 Bn in 2021), but mining accounts for only 0.58% of these payments. With 2.4+ billion tonnes of iron ore, 1+ billion tonnes of bauxite, and potentially the world's largest primary cobalt deposit, the gap between geological potential and economic contribution is vast.
| Mineral | Key Deposits | Est. Resources/Reserves | Grade | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bauxite | Minim-Martap, Ngaoundal, Birsok | 1,027 Mt (JORC); 144 Mt Ore Reserve | 51.2% Al2O3, 1.7% SiO2 | Construction > 2026 |
| Iron Ore | Mbalam-Nabeba | 154 Mt | 62.9% Fe | ICC Arbitration |
| Iron Ore | Nkout | ~700 Mt potential | TBD | Pre-development |
| Iron Ore | Bikoula/Ndjele | 46 Mt (JORC) | Various | Exploration |
| Iron Ore | Ngovayang | Under assessment | — | Infrastructure prep |
| Cobalt-Nickel | Nkamouna-Mada | 68.1 Mt | 0.26% Co, 0.66% Ni, 1.48% Mn | Stalled since 2003 |
| Gold | Colomine | 480,000 t ore; 500 kg/yr target | — | First underground mine |
| Gold | Mbe/Bibemi (Oriole) | Up to 1.34 Moz | — | Exploration |
| Diamonds | Mobilong | 416 million carats (est.) | Gem + industrial | Limited ops |
| Limestone | Bidzar (CIMENCAM) | 224,304 t/yr produced | — | In production |
Nkamouna's 68.1 Mt cobalt-nickel deposit (0.26% Co, 0.66% Ni) may be the world's largest primary cobalt resource — a critical mineral for EV batteries. Stalled since 2003, this deposit represents a strategic opportunity as cobalt demand is projected to triple by 2030.
| Project | Mineral | Operator | CAPEX | Timeline | Stage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minim-Martap | Bauxite | Canyon (Camalco) | $96M > $446M | Q1 2026 mining start | Construction |
| Colomine Underground | Gold | SONAMINES/Codias | N/D | 2025-26 | Near-term |
| PROALU Plant | Aluminium | Prometal/Alucam | CFA 88Bn (~$145M) | Operational 2027 | Construction |
| Ngovayang | Iron Ore | Jindal Steel | N/D | Infrastructure phase | Pre-dev |
| Mbalam-Nabeba | Iron Ore | Sundance/CamIron | $5.5Bn disputed | ICC Arbitration | Stalled |
| Nkamouna | Co-Ni | Geovic (GeoCam) | N/D | Stalled since 2003 | Stalled |
| Mbe / Bibemi | Gold | Oriole Resources | N/D | Up to 1.34 Moz | Exploration |
| Alucam Edea | Aluminium | State (93.3%) | Operating | 70,000 t/yr | Production |
France absorbs 36% of Cameroon's aluminium exports. Alucam imports 100% of its alumina raw material. With Minim-Martap bauxite production starting 2026 and PROALU creating CFA 48Bn/yr local demand from 2027, Cameroon has a clear pathway to end this double dependency.
Law No. 2023/014 of 19 December 2023 | 8 Implementation Decrees issued November 2024
Mandatory 10% free carry (non-dilutable) in all mining companies. Can increase to 25% paid. SONAMINES integrated at 10% in capital.
State opts for production sharing as primary mode. 5% of production in-kind or cash.
Exclusive purchase and marketing of gold and diamonds nationwide. Manages State equity stakes.
Mining Development Fund, Site Restoration Fund, and Special Local Capacity Building Account (0.5-1% turnover).
95% non-specialist positions reserved for Cameroonians. Preference for Cameroonian subcontractors.
Artisanal, semi-mechanized artisanal, reconnaissance, research, small mine, industrial exploitation permits.
| Tax / Fee | Research Phase | Exploitation Phase | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Corporate Income Tax | Exempt | 30% | Standard rate |
| Ad Valorem Royalty | N/A | 2-15% | Varies by mineral |
| VAT | Exempt | 19.25% | Standard regime |
| Production Sharing | N/A | 5% | In-kind or cash |
| Local Capacity Fund | N/A | 0.5-1% | Of company turnover |
| Fiscal Stability | Guaranteed | Guaranteed | For permit duration |
OHADA framework (17 states) | ICSID signatory | BITs with France, Germany, UK, China | ICC Arbitration | Free profit repatriation (subject to CEMAC controls) | Fiscal stability clause
8 decrees only issued Nov 2024 — early stages | Model convention not standardized | SONAMINES capacity building | Inter-agency gaps (DGI/DGD/MINMIDT) | CEMAC exchange controls
EITI Reports 2021 (17th) & 2022 (18th) | Validation February 2024
| Revenue Stream | Amount (CFA M) | Collecting Agency |
|---|---|---|
| Taxes Ad Valorem + extraction | 632 | DGI |
| SONAMINES collections | 6,790 (in-kind) | SONAMINES |
| Customs duties (mining) | 57.77 | DGD |
| Corporate Income Tax (mining) | 5.96 | DGI |
| Surface rent & fees | 225.69 | DGI |
| Social & environmental | 50 | Various |
| SNI dividends (Alucam) | 380 | SNI |
| Total Mining & Quarries | 8,170 | 0.58% of extractive total |
25% of ad valorem and extraction taxes are allocated to affected local communities under the new Code. Beneficial ownership disclosure scored "Inadequate" — a corrective action priority for EITI validation.
| Established | 1954 |
| Ownership | State 93.3%, AFD 5.6%, SNI 1.1% |
| Capacity | ~100,000 t/yr (constrained by power) |
| Production (2023) | ~70,000 tonnes (70% utilization) |
| Exports (2023) | 43,916 t | CFA 54.2Bn |
| Local sales | 37.3% of output |
| Raw material | 100% IMPORTED alumina |
Cameroon is positioning itself as the first country in Africa with a complete bauxite-alumina-aluminium integrated value chain. The capacity gap at Alucam (30,000 t/yr unused = CFA 23Bn opportunity) is directly linked to power supply — Nachtigal Dam's 420 MW addresses this constraint.
If Cameroon captures just 25% of the ~15 tonnes smuggled gold, annual revenue could increase by CFA 75+ billion — 15x current mining tax revenue.
Assessment based on Africa Mining Vision (2009), Agenda 2063, AfCFTA, AMREC, OECD Due Diligence
| Framework | Alignment Level | Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Africa Mining Vision (2009) | Partially Aligned | New code promotes local value addition, but gaps remain |
| Agenda 2063 (AU) | Aligned in Ambition | SND30 targets mining-metal industry as growth pillar |
| AfCFTA (2018) | Opportunity | Well-positioned via Douala port; CEMAC integration underway |
| AMREC (2021) | In Development | Relies on JORC; AMREC adoption would harmonize reporting |
| OECD Due Diligence | Partial | Kimberley Process member; no mandatory supply chain due diligence |
| GEWE (Gender) | Early Stage | 2023 code silent on gender mainstreaming |
| Permit Type | Granting Authority | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Artisanal Mining Card | Regional Delegate / CTD | 1 year, renewable |
| Semi-Mechanized Artisanal | Minister of Mines | 2 years, renewable |
| Reconnaissance Permit | Minister of Mines | 1 year, renewable 1x |
| Research Permit | Minister of Mines | 3 years, renewable 2x |
| Small Mine Exploitation | Minister of Mines | 5 years, renewable |
| Industrial Exploitation | Presidential Decree | 25 years, renewable |
| Project | Investment | Status |
|---|---|---|
| PQ2 Rail Upgrade | $818M (WB) | 2030 target |
| Nachtigal Dam (420 MW) | $1.2Bn | Operational |
| Minim-Martap Haul Road | Canyon funded | Under construction |
| Kribi Deep-Sea Port | Phase 2 | Planned |
There is no dedicated mining-renewable energy policy. Alucam's production constraint is directly linked to power supply. Solar potential is strong in the North/Far North for ASM sites.