Canyon Resources Limited says locomotives have been successfully delivered to its Cameroon-based subsidiary, Camalco Cameroon S.A (“Camalco”), marking the milestone at its Minim Martap bauxite project.
The locomotives are a key part of the company’s mine-to-port logistics infrastructure and support the broader production ramp-up at Minim Martap.
The delivery follows the company’s recent increase in its equity stake in Camrail, Cameroon’s primary rail operator, from 9.1% to 26.9%. The enhanced holding will provide greater influence across bauxite transportation, strengthened oversight of the PQ2 upgrade and improved strategic alignment with the Minim Martap project, further de-risking the mine-to-port logistics chain, it says.
Following the successful arrival of the locomotives in Cameroon, the company will commence a 6-8 week commissioning as well as testing and operator training program, positioning the rail network for the commencement of initial ore transport between the Inland Rail Facility (IRF) and the Port of Douala in the September quarter of 2026.
The first 60 rail wagons have now left the factory and are scheduled to arrive in Cameroon in mid-August, 2026. The remaining 100 wagons are scheduled to arrive in Doula in late September.
The Stage 1 rail fleet, comprising seven locomotives and 160 wagons, is expected to provide transport capacity of approximately 35,000 Mt/mth (wet), establishing the foundation for the project’s planned production ramp-up and export activities.
Building on this milestone, and subject to finalising $160 million of additional funding, the Stage 2 phase of the Minim Martap project development includes upgrades to sections of the rail infrastructure and the delivery of an additional 15 locomotives and 400 wagons. This expansion is expected to increase rail transport capacity to approximately 105,000 Mt/mth (wet) by early in the September quarter of 2027, supporting the company’s strategy to progressively scale production and unlock the full value of the Minim Martap bauxite project.
Trial mining is expected to commence in the September quarter of this year subject to final discussions with the local communities, allowing the company to establish operational readiness, optimise mining procedures and progressively build ore stockpiles ahead of first shipments. The mining operation is expected to achieve required production rates well in advance of logistics commissioning, ensuring ore availability is not a constraint to the company’s planned production and export schedule.
Infrastructure and operational readiness work has been progressing as planned, and the company is working closely with its logistics and operational partners to ensure a smooth mobilisation ahead of commencement, it says.
Construction of the ore haulage road, IRF and dredging of the port are all scheduled to be completed late in the next quarter to allow first bauxite shipment of Minim Martap ore from the Port of Douala in the December quarter.