ASX-listed Canyon Resources’ wholly-owned in-country subsidiary Camalco Cameroon has received approval from the Port Authority of Douala to secure access to the land at the Port of Douala, in Cameroon.

This is the final infrastructure agreement required for the development of the Minim Martap bauxite project in the country, with rail access in place following the recently completed strategic 9.1% investment in Cameroon rail network operator Camrail and approval of the project’s inland rail facility.

The proposed storage area covers 65 000 m² and allows Canyon to transport and store up to six-million tonnes a year of bauxite ore, with design work currently being developed to expand production in phases up to ten-million tonnes a year.

The availability of existing railway tracks and a quay within the terminal facilitates and expedites Camalco in achieving its target of first shipment by the first half of 2026.

Moreover, it reduces Minim Martap’s startup capital expenditure (capex) owing to the considerable amount of infrastructure already available at the port.

Also, the location of this port area is in close proximity to the existing rolling stock repair workshop of Camrail, which will be shared by Camalco, and is expected to engender further savings in project startup capex.

Canyon highlights that the infrastructure achievements significantly derisk its mine-to-port logistics strategy, with the key definitive feasibility study (DFS) progressing as planned and on track for completion in the third quarter.

The DFS is assessing the implementation of the two-stage development aimed at accelerating production through a phased ramp-up approach, which would see Minim Martap make its first shipment of bauxite in the first half of 2026.

Securing access to the port area is the final condition precedent for Canyon’s major and long-term shareholder Eagle Eye Asset Holdings to exercise its 500-million options, which are priced at $0.07.

“Securing access to efficient and reliable export infrastructure is a significant milestone for Canyon and a major step forward in the development of our world class Minim Martap bauxite project. With strategically located port facilities, Canyon now has a clear pathway to seamlessly transport high-quality bauxite ore from mine to market,” Canyon executive chairperson Mark Hohnen says.

He points out that Canyon’s equity stake in the infrastructure networks provides security and scalability in the company’s path to production, with strong support from the government and key regional stakeholders.