Camrail, the railway concessionaire in Cameroon, and Camalco, the local subsidiary of junior mining company Canyon Resources and developer of the Minim Martap bauxite project in the Adamawa region, said they have reached an agreement to prepare the rail network for the transport of bauxite for export. The announcement was made on January 26, 2026, in a joint statement by the two companies.
For the partners, the priority is to rapidly open the logistics corridor between the deposit and the port of Douala, a prerequisite for access to international markets. “This contractual step represents an important milestone, as it allows the launch of work to strengthen certain sections of the network, aimed at supporting the ramp-up of the Minim Martap project,” the companies said.
In practical terms, the agreement triggers the early investment announced on October 6, 2025: CFA5 billion ($7 million) to rehabilitate the rail line between Makor, in the Adamawa region, and Douala. The stated objective is to enable the transport of bauxite from Minim Martap as early as 2026.
Targeting production of 10 million tons per year
This preliminary investment comes ahead of Camrail’s second five-year plan (PQ2), which is expected to take effect in the first half of 2027. It focuses on the most sensitive sections of the network in order to accelerate the start of exports through the port of Douala and secure the production ramp-up of the project.
Camalco underscores the critical role of rail infrastructure in the project’s competitiveness. “Rail is the lifeline of the Minim Martap project. Finalizing this agreement with Camrail was the essential step to unlock the potential of our world-class deposit. We have full confidence in our partner to meet the logistical challenge and allow us to export our bauxite to international markets under the best competitive conditions,” said Rana Patrap Singh, Camalco’s chief executive.
Following this initial investment, the junior miner controlled by Indian billionaire Gagan Gupta plans to continue investing between 2026 and 2029, with total spending of CFA47 billion ($85 million). According to the project, these investments are expected to support a gradual increase in production capacity to 10 million tons of bauxite per year.
High-quality ore
According to the definitive feasibility study presented on September 2, 2025, the Minim Martap deposit, with estimated resources of more than 144 million tons, would have a net present value of CFA468 billion ($835 million). The project’s pre-tax internal rate of return is estimated at 29%, with annual cash flows projected at CFA97.5 billion ($174 million).
The quality of the ore is highlighted as a key value driver, with alumina content of 51% and silica at 2%. This profile would allow the project to command a premium of $10 to $15 per ton on the international market. These prospects, supported by global bauxite demand expected to grow by about 3.5% per year, are said to be attracting interest from local investors, including Cameroon’s National Social Insurance Fund (CNPS), according to sources familiar with the matter.
Another advantage cited is the existence of an operational rail infrastructure already linking Minim Martap to the port of Douala, strengthening the appeal of a project positioned as a cornerstone of Cameroon’s emerging bauxite–alumina–aluminum value chain.
Brice R. Mbodiam
