The 4th edition of the Cameroon International Mining Convention and Exhibition (CIMEC) opened on May 23, 2024 in Yaoundé. Around the Prime Minister, Head of Government and personal representative of the Head of State, it is a question of participants over two days examining the issues and adopting resolutions allowing the countries of the Organization of African Caribbean States and the Pacific (OACPS); beyond making good use of their wealth; to find in this resource (critical mine) a lever for development, hence the call for commitment and collective awareness from Head of Government Joseph Dion Ngute during his address to the participants.
The opening of the 4th edition of CIMEC in Yaoundé and its speeches demonstrate its importance. For His Excellency Georges Rebelo Pinto, Secretary General of the OACPS, this meeting nourishes hopes and its recommendations a basis for the future of the seventy-nine (79) member states of the organization.
Stating that critical minerals are comparable to clean energies, their rarity and their scope in innovative technologies, cutting-edge industries and in strategic sectors make them the heart of the global economy. These are cobalt, copper, manganese, graphite, lithium and PMG, among others, of which OACPS members have reserves.
From this major contribution and impact of the OACPS in the evolution of the world, the CIMEC stands out as a platform through which Cameroon exposes and supports its ambitions with a view to fully playing its role with regard to its significant mining potential.
Far from being a simple policy of seduction, Cameroon, yesterday simple potential as a local producer and processor country via its four strategic axes of development of the mining sector, wants in addition to selling its destination, capitalizing on value chains and making itself sector a reliable spring for the local economy.
It is on the occasion of the 4th edition of the International Convention of Mines and Exhibition of Cameroon (CIMEC) which opens this May 23 at the Palais des Congrès in Yaoundé. CIMEC aims to place Cameroon at the center of financial negotiations in the Central Africa sub-region through the promotion of its geological and mining potential. It is also a link between mining companies and major investors with the aim of promoting sustainable investments. This 4th edition of the International Convention of Mines and Exhibitions of Cameroon (CIMEC) is placed on the theme: “From the transition of geological potential to the production of mining deposits as a means of strengthening economic growth in the sub-region”.
This meeting comes following the directives and orientations of the President of the Republic, regarding the development of the mining sector which must now play an important role in the growth process of Cameroon. The year 2024 therefore marks a decisive turning point for Cameroon, which is moving from a country with high mining potential to the status of a mining producing country.
A new status for Cameroon materialized in particular by the exploitation of the iron deposits of Mbalam whose first exports are envisaged in June 2024, of Grand-Zambi with the first exports planned for December 2024 and of Kribi-Lobé whose first exports should be effective in 2025. In addition, as part of the policy of establishing gold reserves with a view to strengthening the financial resources of the State, the project to exploit the small gold mine of Colomine which started in the first half of 2023 is being restructured for improved production efficiency.
