SONAMINES
SOCIÉTÉ NATIONALE DES MINES
NATIONAL MINING CORPORATION
Head office: PO Box 6388 Yaoundé
infos@sonamines.cm- www.sonamines.cm
Omnisports, Avenue Marc Vivien FOE
+237 242 058 396
RÉPUBLIQUE DU CAMEROUN
REPUBLIC OF CAMEROON
TERMS OF REFERENCE OF THE INTERNATIONAL CALL FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST (AIMI) 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 LOMIE-NKAMOUNA COBALT, NICKEL AND MANGANESE POLYMETALLIC DEPOSIT, IN THE EAST REGION OF THE REPUBLIC OF CAMEROON.
# 1. BACKGROUND
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 commissioning 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 the cobalt-nickel-manganese mining project completed by Geovic Cameroun PLC (GeoCam), the former holder of the related mining title, was drafted by Lycopodium Minerals Pty Ltd (Lycopodium), with contributions of SRK Consulting (US), Inc (SRK) and Knight Piésol. Subsequently, SRK prepared the technical report of the project so as to meet the requirements of Standard NI 43 -101 and for the continued development of the project.
Faced with Geovic Cameroun PLC (GeoCam) breach of obligations incumbent upon any mining permit holder, marked in particular by the non-operation of the Lomé-Nkamouna cobalt, nickel and manganese polymetallic deposit, 22 (twenty-two) years after the company was granted the mining permit, the State of Cameroon, proceeded with the withdrawal of GEOVIC CAMEROON S.A's mining permit n°2003/077 of 11 April 2003, by Decree No.2025/040 of 14 February 2025.
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
SONAMINES S.A. - Public Limited Company with a Board of Directors - Established by Decree No. 2020/749 of 14 December 2020
Share capital: CFAF 10,000,000,000 - R.C.CM No.: RC/YAO/2021/B/895
GeoCam, was retroceded to SONAMINES S.A, in its capacity as State representative responsible for the promotion and development of the mining sector.
The Mining Code and its implementing texts can be downloaded in English and French from the website of SONAMINES S.A, www.sonamines.cm.