SONAMINES
SOCIÉTÉ NATIONALE DES MINES
NATIONAL MINING CORPORATION
Head Office: P.O. Box 6388 Yaoundé
info@sonamines.cm- www.sonamines.cm
Omnisports, Avenue Marc Vivien FOE
+237 242 058 396
REPUBLIQUE DU CAMEROUN
REPUBLIC OF CAMEROON
INTERNATIONAL CALL FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST
N° 000002 /AIMI/SONAMINES/DG OF 09 JAN 2025
RELATING TO THE PRE-SELECTION OF TECHNICAL AND FINANCIAL PARTNERS FOR THE NATIONAL MINING CORPORATION (SONAMINES S.A) IN VIEW OF THE DEVELOPMENT AND COMMISSIONING OF THE LOMIENKAMOUNA COBALT, NICKEL AND MANGANESE POLYMETALLIC DEPOSIT, IN THE EAST REGION OF THE REPUBLIC OF CAMEROON.
# 1. BACKGROUND AND RATIONALE
Within the framework of the strategic recovery of the Cameroonian mining sector, the State, through the National Mining Corporation (SONAMINES S.A), has undertaken to develop the country's mineral resources in an optimal manner, in order to contribute to economic development and job creation. In this vein, the operationalization of the Lomé-Nkamouna cobalt, nickel and manganese polymetallic deposit stands as a strategic project, given the economic use and value of these substances in industries such as electronics, batteries, steel and chemicals.
The feasibility study of this cobalt-nickel-manganese mining project was drafted by the company Lycopodium Minerals Pty Ltd (Lycopodium) in conjunction with SRK Consulting (US), Inc. (SRK), Knight Piésold and Geovic Cameroun PLC (GeoCam). Subsequently, SRK produced the technical report of the project so as to meet the requirements of the Canadian Standard NI 43-101 and those linked to the continued development of the project.
Faced with Geovic Cameroun PLC (GeoCam) breach of obligations incumbent upon mining permit holders, which was marked in particular by the non-operation of the Lomé-Nkamouna cobalt, nickel and manganese deposit, twenty-two years after the company was granted the related mining permit, the State of Cameroon, proceeded, by Decree No.2025/040 of 14 February 2025, with the withdrawal of the mining permit n°33 issued by Decree No.2003/077 of 11 April 2003 to GEOVIC CAMEROON S.A.
It is within this context and in accordance with the law and regulations in force, including Section 38 (7) of Law No.2023/014 of 19 December 2023 relating to the Mining Code and Article 93 (1) of Decree No.2024/05061/PM of 18 November 2025, laying down the terms and conditions for the issuing of mining titles, permits and licenses, that the site covered by the mining permit once held by GeoCam was retroceded by the State of Cameroon to SONAMINES S.A, in its capacity as representative of the State in charge of the promotion and development of the mining sector.
It is based on the above that SONAMINES S.A, through this AIMI, wishes to shortlist technical and financial partners, i.e. mining companies or groupings with the needed technical and financial capabilities as well as proven experiences in the responsible development of world-class mining projects, in order to relaunch the development and operation process of this rich cobalt, nickel and manganese deposit.
SONAMINES S.A. - Public limited company with a Board of Directors - Established by Decree No. 2020/749 of 14 December 2020
Share capital: CFA 10,000,000,000 - R.C.CM N°: RC/YAO/2021/B/895
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