MAYO-BINKA: THE IRON-ORE DEPOSIT THAT COULD TACKLE UNEMPLOYMENT, PROMOTE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AND ALLEVIATE SUFFERING IN CAMEROON’S NORTH-WEST REGION

MAYO-BINKA: THE IRON-ORE DEPOSIT THAT COULD TACKLE UNEMPLOYMENT, PROMOTE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AND ALLEVIATE SUFFERING IN CAMEROON’S NORTH-WEST REGION

Assume that the reported Mayo-Binka deposit is developed as a medium-to-large open-pit mine producing approximately 3–5 million tonnes of iron ore annually, supported by local crushing and beneficiation facilities.

A properly developed Mayo-Binka iron-ore project could give rise to more than 70 interconnected companies, infrastructure projects and categories of local enterprise across the mining value chain.

Under this development scenario:

- The exploration and project-development stage could generate at least 20 projects and companies, creating approximately 300–700 jobs.

- During the two-to-four-year mine-construction and infrastructure stage, at least 10 additional projects and companies could be established, supporting approximately 6,000–15,000 direct, indirect and induced jobs.

- The mining and mineral-processing stage could generate at least 14 companies, with an estimated 1,800–3,200 permanent direct jobs.

- The transportation and mineral-export stage could create at least 10 companies and approximately 800–1,500 jobs.

- Finally, more than 20 local supply and support businesses could be generated, supporting approximately 7,000–15,000 local jobs and livelihoods—provided procurement opportunities are reserved meaningfully for Cameroonian businesses rather than predominantly foreign suppliers.

A project limited to extracting and transporting raw ore could potentially support approximately 10,000–20,500 direct, indirect and induced jobs. If Cameroon adds local beneficiation, railway infrastructure, steel production and manufacturing, the wider industrial ecosystem could potentially sustain 17,000–40,000 jobs and livelihoods.

These opportunities would include exploration, drilling, construction, mining, mineral processing, transportation, equipment maintenance, electricity, water supply, environmental management, catering, agriculture, banking, insurance, healthcare, technical training, logistics and manufacturing.

However, these benefits will not arise automatically. They require:

- legally enforceable local-content requirements;

- transparent licensing and procurement;

- technical education and vocational training;

- reliable electricity and transport infrastructure;

- genuine community participation and benefit-sharing;

- strict environmental and social safeguards;

- and a national policy that prioritises local processing over the simple exportation of raw iron ore.

World Bank research confirms that mining delivers its greatest socioeconomic benefits when it creates infrastructure and strong linkages with domestic suppliers, workers and industries.

Why not Mayo-Binka? Why not the North-West Region? Why not build similar productive industries throughout Cameroon—if only to give our children employment, dignity and a genuine chance to build a better future?

Dr. David Makongo