“There is no question the international mining industry was crippled during the 2020 Covid-19 period. However, in early 2021 Canyon sees the door opening, international travel is returning at a cost, and developing countries like Cameroon are welcoming investment and development of domestic mining projects”, Rick Smith, Director

General, CAMALCO SA (Canyon Resources’ wholly-owned Cameroon subsidiary).

Mr Rick Smith was appointed as Director-General of the Canyon’s wholly-owned Cameroon subsidiary Camalco Cameroon SA (Camalco) on 17^th January 2021and will be based in Cameroon.

Mr Smith will focus on the delivery of the Project through key agreements with suppliers and the Government.

Mr Rick Smith was previously a senior executive, within Guinea Alumina Corporation (GAC), who successfully commissioned the $1.4 billion CAPEX, GAC Project. The bauxite mine is located in Tinguilinta, Guinea and is West Africa’s newest bauxite mine that will export 12 million tonnes per annum through its Kamsar bauxite port facilities which were commissioned in Q3 2019.

Mr Smith has more than 35 years of experience in a variety of international locations relating to new markets, business development, exploration, feasibility studies and construction in bauxite and alumina projects. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in geological engineering from Michigan Technological University in the United States.

It was a great break for AlCircle to get in touch with Mr Rick Smith for an interview and here goes his forecast for 2021:

AlCircle: How do you visualize bauxite mining operation and the global aluminium industry in 2021 after the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the worldwide economy?

Mr Rick Smith: There is no question the international mining industry was crippled during the 2020 Covid-19 period, with several constraints on international travel and respective country closures, air travel and quarantine rules. However, in early 2021 Canyon sees the door opening, international travel is returning at a cost, and developing countries like Cameroon are welcoming investment and development of domestic mining projects.

AlCircle: Could you share your journey towards the development of the world-class Minim Martap bauxite project in Cameroon?

Mr Rick Smith: I was extremely fortunate and spent six years in Guinea working with EGA/GAC developing their mine-rail-port bauxite project. During the six years I was involved from concept-prefeasibility-feasibility-construction-to first ore on ship, an experience I will never forget! Joining the Canyon team, working with both the Perth and Cameroon offices, it is a pleasure to work with an experienced group of individuals that can help move the Minim Martap project into early production. At Canyon, we are continuing to source strong international and domestic engineering and construction partners.

AlCircle: What are the foremost areas of focus and investment CAMALCO SA / Canyon Resources has planned in 2021?

Mr Rick Smith: Canyon will be focused on sharing the extensive exploration and geological research completed by the company on the project and discussing the development engineering plans with the Ministry of Mines, Ministry of Transport, Camrail/Bollore (rail concession holders) and the Port of Douala as we transition to the mining and construction phase of the project. 

AlCircle: Could you please brief CAMALCO’s outlook for 2021?

Mr Rick Smith: In the first half of 2021 Canyon is focusing on completing our final feasibility studies to submit to the Ministry of Mines and ultimately secure our Mining Convention by August/September 2021. Thereafter, in the second half of 2021, we will kick off early engineering and construction work on the multi-stage (mine-rail-port) development program, utilising existing infrastructure in Cameroon. The canyon is currently advancing strategic partnerships and discussions on off-take agreements, with interested parties to accelerate the project development timeline.

AlCircle: What major changes in policies Rick Smith as Director-General of CAMALCO going to bring regarding smooth development at Minim Martap?

Mr Rick Smith: The lessons learned in my past role on the EGA/GAC bauxite project in Guinea will certainly be shared in the Canyon project engineering, ESIA, construction and early production works. Building a good local team and securing strong project engineering/construction teams with West Africa experience will be the keys to project success.

AlCircle: What are the major challenges the company has faced in 2020 and how it will be countered in 2021?

Mr Rick Smith: Canyon has moved to have permanent representation of the Director-General in-country, and in early May 2021 we will mobilise our Rail and Port Construction Director into the country, and shortly thereafter engage with a globally diversified group of engineering and construction contractors.