Camrail confirms rail bridge sustainability for Minim Martap Bauxite Project

The developer of the world-class Minim Martap bauxite project in Cameroon, Canyon Resources Limited announced that its ongoing work to finalise the Company’s Bankable Feasibility Study (BFS) for the 1 billion tonne resource has received confirmation from Camrail that all the bridges on the rail line are capable to accommodate the 5 Mt annual bauxite tonnage target.

The mining company has received a report from Camrail confirming that all major bridges are suitable for the planned use and will not require additional upgrades for the Project to achieve the required tonnages. Upgrades currently underway on the rail track include increasing the final areas of the track to a 54kg rail line. As a result, Canyon will not need to assign capital to upgrade the existing rail infrastructure for the Project.

The installation of heavier capacity rail on the entire track will permit for an increase to even greater tonnages per bauxite wagon, thereby increasing the total annual tonnage that can be transported on the rail. This provides significant potential upside to Project economics at the Project.

Andre Henry, Director - Rail and Port, Canyon, said: “It is very positive to receive written confirmation from Camrail of the good condition and suitability of all the bridges on the rail line for our Project. The current Camrail upgrade program is well advanced. On the northern part of the track, this includes the upgrade of the rail track to 54kg rail, which will allow increases to the axle load to 20 tonnes on all the bridges. This, in turn, confirms that annual bauxite tonnages of at least 5Mt will be achieved and exceeded.”

“The rail is the most important logistical component of the Minim Martap Bauxite Project, and it is pleasing to have the final studies prove the suitability and reliability of the existing infrastructure for our Project.”

Phillip Gallagher, Canyon’s Managing Director, said: “Confirmation of the suitability of all bridges on the Camrail rail line from the operators themselves adds to our confidence that the ramp-up to operation on the Project will be completed in a fast timeframe. It also highlights the positive working relationship between the Camalco team in Cameroon, Camrail and the Cameroon Ministry of Transport.”