 Overview
Cameroon Alumina Limited proposes to set up a greenfield project involving bauxite mining, a 3.0 million-tonnes-per-annum (MTPA) alumina refinery, and associated infrastructure, based on the bauxite deposits of Ngaoundal and Minim-Martap in the Adamawa region of Cameroon.
Project scope
The proposed project shall comprise the following main facilities:
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8.5 million MTPA bauxite mines at Ngaoundal and
Minim-Martap |
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3.0 million MTPA alumina refinery |
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Steam and power plant |
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Red mud disposal facilities |
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Township |
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Railway and port facilities |
The project will be implemented in two phases. The
first phase would involve setting up facilities for
a 4.25 MTPA bauxite mine, and a 1.5 MTPA alumina refinery.
These capacities would be expanded to 8.5 MTPA and 3.0
MTPA for the bauxite mine and alumina refinery respectively
The estimated project cost is USD 4-6 billion.
The project is expected to help in creating around 7000 direct and 6000-8000 indirect jobs during the peak of the execution phase, and around 1500-2000 direct, and 4000 indirect jobs during the operation phase.
Present status
In August 2008, CAL embarked upon a detailed work programme involving the following:
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Exploration work at the two deposits |
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Geological evaluation of the two deposits |
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Preparation of mine-plan |
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Environmental study of the two bauxite deposits |
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Pre-feasibility study of the proposed alumina refinery |
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Pre-feasibility study of associated infrastructure including railways, port etc. |
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Capital and operating cost estimate |
Various consultants were engaged by CAL to undertake these studies.
Consultant
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Scope of Work |
| Fluor (USA) |
Overall programme management/ alumina refinery |
| SRK (Australia) |
Geology and mining |
| Aluminpro (Canada) |
Alumina technology |
| Labogenie (Cameroon) |
Topographical survey |
| Labogenie (Cameroon) |
Exploration drilling |
| Vimta Labs (India) |
ESIA study of the bauxite mines |
| Rainbow Environmental Consultant (Cameroon) |
ESIA study of the bauxite mines |
| RITES (India) |
Railway study |
| HOWE (India) |
Port study |
| SG Lab (Cameroon) |
Sample preparation |
| SG Lab (Ireland) |
Laboratory test work |
| BRDC (India) |
Laboratory test work |
| Genalysis (Australia) |
Laboratory test work |
| MED Sarl (Cameroon) |
Drilling of water wells (as part of the community development programme) |
The work programme was completed three months ahead of schedule in October 2009. All reports were submitted to the Ministry of Industry, Mines and Technological Development (MINIMIDT).
Mining permit applications for the two bauxite deposits have been submitted by the company to MINIMIDT and the same is under active consideration.
CAL also submitted a comprehensive Environmental and Social Impact Assessment study (ESIA) report for the proposed bauxite mine to Ministry of Environment and Nature Protection (MINEP).
On July 20th, 2010 The ministry granted the Environment Clearance Certificate for the bauxite mine part of the project to CAL after a comprehensive review of ESIA report.
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