CIMEC 2013 : MINING STAKEHOLDERS MEET IN YAOUNDE

The first-ever international conference on the Mining Industry which held in Yaoundé from May 29-31, 2013 served as a springboard to industrialising the mining sector in the country.

The trial step turned out to a master one. For the very first time, Cameroon organised an international conference alongside a display of industrial

mining products which brought together mining stakeholders from across the globe at the Yaounde Conference Centre. The very important and heavily-attended conference presided at by Dr Fuh Calistus Gentry, Secretary of State in the Ministry of Mines, Industries and Technological Development who was the chairman of the organising committee was an opportunity for local and foreign participants not only to create fruitful contacts but also to discover the richness of Cameroon’s subsoil.  It is no longer a secret that Cameroon is a mining haven with enormous bauxite, iron ore, cobalt/nickel, uranium and diamond reserves to show among others. 

Placed on the theme, “Mining Industry at the heart of Cameroon’s Sustainable Development,” the Yaounde conference gave participants the opportunity to reflect on the best strategies possible through which mineral production can effectively contribute to the country’s development without jeopardising the interests of future generations.

Against this backdrop, participants after three days of intense brainwork came up with far-reaching recommendations. The putting in place of mining companies, analytical laboratories and drilling companies was recommended. As such, it is necessary to intensify the professionalisation of the sector and the continual capacity building of stakeholders based on the agreements reached between the Ministry of Mines, Industries and Technological Development, actors of the mining sector and State’s Universities among others. The putting in place of a body to ensure the implementation of the recommendations was also wished. The over 500 delegates who took part in the high-level Yaounde conference went home generally satisfied hoping for a much more bigger rendezvous when they once again converge on Yaounde for the second edition billed for 2015.