Cameroon Minim Martap bauxite mine to open in 2026

Canyon Resources

The Cameroon Minim Martap bauxite mine will start mining in February 2026, led by Canyon Resources. The Cameroon Minim Martap bauxite mine targets first shipments in June 2026. Meanwhile, the project highlights how new bauxite supply depends on logistics readiness.

The company plans an inland rail facility by May 2026 to move ore efficiently. The rail build supports early volumes and reduces delivery risk. As a result, the Cameroon Minim Martap bauxite mine could enter the market faster than many greenfield projects.

Ramp-up targets signal a major new bauxite supply stream

The project plans 1.2mn wet metric tonnes in its first year of operations. It then targets 6mn wmt/yr by year four and 10mn wmt/yr by year six. Therefore, buyers will watch execution pace and product consistency.

This scale-up can influence Atlantic Basin trade flows over time. However, bauxite markets still price logistics reliability, not only resources. As a result, schedule discipline will determine how quickly customers commit.

Financing and port access tie the mine to export infrastructure

Local lender AFG Bank Cameroon backed the project with a long-tenor credit facility. The funding supports rail and port infrastructure, which drives export capability. Meanwhile, access to Port of Douala strengthens the route to seaborne buyers.

The port granted permission for a storage site designed to support up to 6mn t/yr of ore. The company plans to begin building that storage site in January. Therefore, the port timeline becomes a key milestone for the Cameroon Minim Martap bauxite mine.

The Metalnomist Commentary

New bauxite projects win when they de-risk transport first. However, a rail-and-port buildout can still face permitting and contractor delays. If Canyon hits its logistics dates, Cameroon can become a more visible bauxite export origin.