Cameroon's billion-tonne bauxite project moves closer to exports as CAMALCO clears key rail hurdle

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One of Africa's largest undeveloped bauxite deposits has moved a step closer to global markets, with CAMALCO preparing to launch rail transportation from its flagship Minim Martap project in Cameroon. The milestone removes a critical logistics hurdle ahead of commercial production and positions the country to emerge as a new supplier in the global bauxite trade.

The Cameroonian subsidiary of Australia's Canyon Resources has signed a rail operations agreement with Camrail, paving the way for bauxite to be transported from the Minim Martap mine in the Adamawa Region to the Port of Douala through the country's existing railway network. The agreement forms a key part of the project's mine-to-port logistics strategy, enabling future exports of one of the world's largest untapped high-grade bauxite resources.

The development was revealed at the 48th extraordinary session of the Interministerial Committee for Railway Infrastructure (COMIFER), chaired by Transport Minister Jean Ernest Masséna Ngallè Bibéhè in Yaoundé .

The significance of the development extends well beyond Cameroon. As alumina refiners and aluminium producers continue to seek diversified sources of bauxite amid geopolitical uncertainties and tightening resource policies in major producing nations, the successful commissioning of Minim Martap could introduce another sizeable supplier into the seaborne bauxite market.

To support the initial phase of operations, CAMALCO has assembled a rail fleet comprising seven locomotives and 160 wagons. The first shipment of 60 wagons is scheduled to arrive in Cameroon by mid-August, while the remaining 100 wagons are expected later this year. During the ramp-up phase, the Stage 1 fleet is projected to transport around 35,000 tonnes of bauxite per month, establishing the project's first export corridor.

“COMIFER noted the progress made, as well as the intention of the mining partner [CAMALCO] to begin transporting bauxite in the coming days,” Claude Misse Ntone, director of railway transport at the ministry, said after the meeting.

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The company has also been carrying out locomotive commissioning, brake testing and rail infrastructure upgrades in collaboration with Camrail to ensure operational readiness. According to the latest project timeline, initial rail movements are expected to commence during the third quarter of 2026.

Beyond rail operations, Canyon Resources has strengthened its control over the project's logistics chain through strategic investments in transport infrastructure. Earlier this year, CAMALCO increased its stake in Camrail to 26.9 per cent and also secured an interest in Terminal Bois du Port de Douala, giving the company greater oversight of both rail and port operations required for bauxite exports.

At the heart of the project lies the Minim Martap deposit, which hosts more than 1 billion tonnes of high-grade, low-contaminant bauxite. The scale of the resource places it among the world's most significant undeveloped bauxite deposits and offers Cameroon an opportunity to diversify its mining sector beyond traditional commodities.

The project's strategic advantage lies not only in its resource size but also in its location. By leveraging Cameroon's existing rail corridor connecting the Adamawa Region with Douala Port, CAMALCO has avoided the need for extensive greenfield transport infrastructure—potentially accelerating the route to commercial production while reducing capital requirements.

The logistics development comes at a time when supply chain resilience has become a growing priority. Guinea continues to dominate global seaborne bauxite exports, particularly to Chinese alumina refineries, making the emergence of additional export hubs increasingly significant.

While Minim Martap is still progressing towards full-scale production, the commencement of rail logistics removes one of the project's most important execution risks and brings a new source of high-grade bauxite a step closer to international markets.

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