Canyon Resources Limited (CAY), one of Australia's largest bauxite producers, has officially started construction of its Inland Rail Facility (IRF) at Makor, Cameroon - an important milestone in the delivery of its flagship Minim Martap Bauxite Project into production. The company is also upgrading the ore haulage access road, which will enable the high-grade bauxite to be transported from the mine to the IRF and on to the Port of Douala for export.
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The commencement of construction is a crucial step forward, and the groundbreaking ceremony attended by senior government officials, community leaders, Executive Chairman Mr Mark Hohnen and investment company Eagle Eye Asset Holdings showed how significant this project is for the future of mining in Cameroon. This strong commitment to the swift implementation of construction is a demonstration of Canyon's dedication to fast-track development and increasing global bauxite supply.
Critical link for the global aluminium supply chain
Among the richest bauxite deposits in the world, Minim Martap has an ore reserve of 109 million tonnes at 51.1 per cent total Al₂O₃ and a JORC mineral resource estimate of over 1 billion tonnes at 45.3 per cent total Al₂O₃. High-grade ore such as Minim Martap’s will meet the supply needed to satisfy the burgeoning global demand, as aluminium, and therefore bauxite, is fundamental to the green transition, lightweight vehicles, and renewable energy infrastructure.
Mr Mark Hohnen, Canyon Executive Chairman, commented, “Commencing construction of the IRF and upgrading the ore haulage access road were two key development milestones, as the The company continues to fast-track Minim Martap towards first production anticipated for early 2026 and delivering its maiden shipment of bauxite in 1H 2026.”
He further added, “The ore haulage access road and IRF will allow us to safely and cost effectively tranship bauxite from the mine to Port of Douala, from where we will export our product to growing global markets.”
Supporting local economies and future growth
Aside from being commercially significant, they stand to add value to local communities through employment and infrastructure. Canyon already has rail access from Makor to the Port of Douala and has also acquired 65,000 m² of land at the port for storage and loading. This will enable an initial capacity of 6 million tonnes per annum (Mtpa) and will be scalable to 10 Mtpa as production increases.
Mr Peter Secker, Canyon’s Chief Executive Officer, commented, “The execution of these key project items will coincide with other infrastructure development works to underpin the project’s supply chain."
Seker further added, “Following the placement of the orders for critical path items, including road construction and locomotives, earlier this year, this is the next step in the Minim Martap development program. We are also gearing up to commence engineering and design work for other critical rail and port infrastructure. This includes rail sidings and passing bays and port storage and loading infrastructure.”
Strengthening Cameroon’s global bauxite profile
With a focused strategy and recent funding, Canyon is transforming Cameroon into a significant global bauxite supplier to meet the rising demand for aluminium for automotive, packaging and construction. As the company moves full speed ahead toward first production, it emphasises its commitment to responsible mining and the sustained economic development of the region.
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