The exploitation of the first-ever Cameroonian own industrial gold mining in the country is imminent.This was revealed during a working visit of the Interim Minister of Mines, Industries and Technological Development, Prof Fuh Calistus Gentry to the Colomine Gold Mining project located in Ngoura subdivision, Lom and Djerem Division, East region.
This was yesterday Wednesday June 4. The project is being implemented by the CODIAS SA, a subsidiary of the Colomine Mining Corporation, COMINCOR. During the working visit, the minister inspected the mining cave of the project as well as the closed-loop mineral processing system plant under construction. The construction of the plant was said to be at 80% completed with the start of effective industrial exploitation forthcoming.
The visit of the Minister comes barely close to two years since his last visit to the project during which he gave recommendations for switch from the new system. “We were here close to two years and gave very specific technical orientations to the company and the company strictly followed them, and today we have the result – the first mine with an industrial characteristic in Cameroon and the sub region,” the minister said. According to the minister, the closed-loop mineral processing system comes with measurable benefits for the company, the state and surrounding community. “The State has a production sharing in all mining projects and this technology allows the operator here to follow his production, the state to follow its interests, and SONAMINE, without any doubt, know what to collect as part of their duties for the state,” he added.
He also pointed out that the right legislation and technology are key elements for the mining sector to bring meaningful contributions to the development of any country or its people. “Legislation and technology are the keywords and I think that many countries in Africa are coming to us to get this alignment where legislation and technological innovation make mining meaningful to the people of this country,” he stated. The member of government regrated that if many people from the eastern part of the country have not become rich as a result of the high concentration of mining activities, it is because the right technology and legislation was not in place.
In addition, Prof Fuh Calistus said all other semi-mechanise gold mining projects in the country will have to follow the high orientation of the President of the Republic for the setting up of closed-loop mineral processing system plant.
Enter COMINCOR boss.
On his part, the President Director General COMINCOR, Hon Bonaventure Assam Mvondo, credited government for the milestone the company is achieving in the mining sector.
« I thank the government, through the Minister present here. We were here about two years ago, exactly in this area and he gave us firm orientations, » Mvondo stated, before adding that: “I made this promise to the Minister and the government that we would follow his orientations. Exactly two years later, I am satisfied today that the Minister, during this visit, found that we have achieved what he wished for the greater good of the government, the local populations, and obviously, the economic operator. »
He also expressed satisfaction with government orientations in the sector and encouraged his fellow operators to emulate his example. »We are pioneers, but it is not good to be alone in this vast endeavor which is mining, » he stated, encouraging them to transition from artisanal, uncontrolled mechanization to a system where « everyone wins. »
« The mine was in the wind, the mine was in the air, the mine was found everywhere! And today, the circuit is closed, » he declared, referencing the Minister’s initial directives for a closed-loop and transparent system which allows the State, the government to derive benefit alongside the operators, local communities, and the Council. Speaking during the tour of the mining facility, the Deputy Director General of CODIAS S.A, Sa’a Bertrand, expressed immense honor in showcasing the evaluation of mining exploitation progress and the construction of their gold treatment unit using a closed-circuit system.
He said CODIAS S.A, a Cameroonian mining company holding the exploitation permit for the Colomine small gold mine, had embarked on the ambitious project following a key recommendation from the Minister of Mines during his working visit in December 2023. At that time, Minister Gentry had advised the company to progressively transition from its older ore treatment system to the more efficient and environmentally friendly closed-circuit method, which the Minister had the opportunity to inspect firsthand during his recent visit.
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