Sonamines seeks direct talks after failed mining tenders in Cameroon

Cameroon’s state-owned mining corporation, Sonamines, has opened direct negotiations with investors following the failure of two international tenders for strategic mineral deposits. The unsuccessful calls for interest targeted the Nkamouna deposit, which contains cobalt, nickel, and manganese, and the Akonolinga block, which contains rutile.

According to Sonamines, no applicants met the necessary selection criteria. While interest was shown by six companies or consortiums from the United States, Australia, the United Kingdom, Canada, and China, several candidates were disqualified for submitting incomplete administrative files or unsigned documents. Other applicants failed to demonstrate sufficient technical expertise, financial capacity, or environmental, social, and governance (ESG) credentials required by the state company.

The Nkamouna project has been a long-standing mining priority for Cameroon, with exploration efforts dating back to the 1970s. Sonamines is now seeking new partners with the specific technical and financial capabilities required to advance these long-stalled assets.