The Bipindi Grand-Zambi iron ore mining site is poised to become the launchpad for Cameroon’s first-ever iron ore exports in 2025.
After completing the open-pit mine and stockpiling some 600,000 tonnes, reliable energy sources are now being sought for processing to begin for export.
This significant development was confirmed by Prof. Fuh Calistus Gentry, the interim Minister of Mines, Industry and Technological Development, during a working visit to the site on Saturday, April 26, 2025. Minister Fuh Calistus’ inspection of the G-Stones Resources S.A. operation site provided a clear indication that the mining phase has commenced, with substantial progress made towards the initial export of iron concentrate.
During his visit, the Minister observed the completed open-pit mine and the significant accumulation of iron ore, with approximately 600,000 tonnes already stockpiled. The immediate target is to reach a stockpile of seven million tonnes of ore before the processing phase fully commences. Notably, two processing units are currently under construction at the site. The first, considered a pilot phase, is designed to process and enrich one million tonnes of iron concentrate annually. The second, larger unit is projected to handle two million tonnes of iron concentrate per year.
Following his thorough inspection of the available ore, the storage facilities, the crushing unit, and the ongoing construction of the processing units, Minister Fuh Calistus expressed his satisfaction with the advancements made. He emphasized the significance of this progress, stating to the press: “as you can see, the mining aspect of this project has started. Iron ore is being stock piled and just primarily we stocked about 600 000 tonnes of iron ore at a rate ranging between 25 to 45 percent, just average. Now, the target is to stock seven million tonnes of iron ore which will finally give us two million tons of concentrated ore”.
Minister Fuh Calistus further elaborated on the immediate steps and the timeline for the first exports.
“What we are having there is preliminary stocking. I think every day you can take it 20 000 to 30 000 can be added, so that is the stocking point. That iron ore stocked there will be brought here to this treatment plant where it would be treated from that percentage to attain 64% and that 64% will be stocked down there as you see for it to be transported to the Port of Kirbi, which will become the first export of iron ore in Cameroon”.
The Minister also highlighted the crucial supporting infrastructure nearing completion.
“The fact that we have this, all the other infrastructure you saw out there, the road which, not just the main road that we used, but a special road that is being created by the company to avoid using the same trucks that is also a very big thing. But symbolically or operationally, our benchmark is that iron ore should be exported from this site this year and we believe that the two units which are seen here – there’s one unit which will transform iron ore, about two million tons of concentrate a year, but here is like a pilot phase, which will do one million tons a year, and I can assure you that by the end of May, what you are seeing here will be totally complete and installed. The only thing that will remain is like starting the engine, and that needs energy”.
Addressing the critical issue of energy supply for the processing units and the broader industrial needs of the Kribi zone, the MINMIDT boss outlined the ongoing efforts to secure reliable power sources.
“We also have come here to discuss with the company all the different sources of energy available. We also are doing an industrial database to find out all the energy needs of companies in the Kribi zone, and we have somebody who has offered us energy, which can be immediate within three to six months, and then we are going to explore all the options; what the company already has – some energy generators in place. But our aim is that we should see that the energy complement is satisfied, the road infrastructure coming all can be ready with Kribi. So we have a key component, and that is going to be the subject of our discussion in the meeting that we are going to have either through SNH, either through other offers, either through the companies we’ll explore those options to make sure that the slogan of Mining should stop and we are going to have this year as a target that iron ore will leave the mine of Grand Zambi to the Port of Kribi.”
The Bipindi Grand-Zambi iron ore reserve is estimated to contain approximately 150 million tonnes, with an initial iron content ranging from 25% to 45%. The preliminary treatment process at the site is expected to increase the iron grade to 65% prior to export through the Kribi Deep Sea Port.
In light of these significant developments, Minister Fuh Calistus is currently undertaking a working visit to the South Region, specifically the Ocean Division, from April 26 to 29, 2025. The primary objective of this visit is to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the progress of other major mining projects in the area and to address any challenges encountered, further solidifying Cameroon’s emergence as a key player in the global mining industry.
