The Minim Martap bauxite project, led by Camalco, the Cameroonian subsidiary of Australian company Canyon Resources, is reaching a crucial stage with the announcement of the upcoming arrival of the first seven locomotives ordered from Chinese manufacturer CRRC Corporation Ltd. These locomotives are expected to be delivered to the port of Douala by the end of the second quarter of 2026, marking a significant step forward in establishing the logistics chain needed to evacuate the ore.
The announcement of this delivery was made by logistics company Cosco Shipping, which recently oversaw the shipment of twelve locomotives to Africa, seven of which are specifically destined for Cameroon. These locomotives will power the railway network that will serve the future Minim Martap mine, located in the Adamaoua region.
This acquisition is part of a larger contract for the supply of 22 diesel locomotives, concluded between Camalco and CRRC. The main objective is to secure the supply chain and ensure the efficient evacuation of the ore, with the project targeting an annual production of 10 million tons of bauxite.
Beyond the acquisition of these locomotives, the transport system also includes an initial order of 560 open wagons from Indian company Texmaco Rail & Engineering Limited. In addition, an option provides for the delivery of an additional 1,040 wagons over the next five years, demonstrating the promoter's ambition to adapt its railway infrastructure to large-scale operation.
Canyon Resources is not limited to the acquisition of rolling stock. The company must also finance the connection of the mine to the national electricity grid, as well as the rehabilitation of several critical points on the existing railway line. This work is essential to ensure the transport of ore to the port of Douala.
In parallel, Camalco has increased its stake in Camrail, the Cameroonian railway operator, from 9.1% to 26.9% through an investment of 9.852 billion FCFA. The company also acquired a 42.8% stake in Terminal Bois du Port de Douala S.A. for 347.447 million FCFA. These strategic investments aim to strengthen Canyon Resources' control over key infrastructure and secure the project's logistics.
With the imminent arrival of these first locomotives and the investments made in rail and port infrastructure, the Minim Martap project sends a strong signal regarding its concrete progress. Following the financing announcements and the signing of industrial contracts, the project is entering a phase of tangible logistical deployment, a prerequisite for any future export of bauxite. The first shipments are scheduled for the end of the third quarter of 2026.
