PROMOTE 2024 : SONAMINES Brightens up the Exhibition

Promoting the mining sector and forging strategic partnerships with a view to developing its projects was the aim of its presence at the 9^th edition of the Yaoundé International Business, SME and Partnership Exhibition held from 17 to 25 February 2024..

Sonamines’ stand set up on the esplanade of the Yaoundé Conference Centre attracted an impressive number of visitors. More than 300 people visited it every day from its official opening on Monday 20 February 2024, by the personal representative of the Prime Minister, Head of Government. Thus, it was the perfect occasion to fulfil its mission of promoting and developing the mining sector, as set out in its founding Decree of 14 December 2020.

Nine (09) days for this delightful exercise by SONAMINES, which was taking part for the second time and spared no effort to ensure the visibility of its actions and, above all, meet the expectations of students, operators in the sector and other partners who came to find out more about the activities and projects of this young structure. The general public, especially University students were therefore able to appreciate its know-how, while operators in the sector got more informed on its activities and actions carried out on the field as well as the results achieved so far.

To allow visitors to better sail through this field experience, SONAMINES highlighted Cameroon's mineral wealth (iron, rutile, limestone, cobalt, pozzolan marble, kyanite, etc.) via a rock-sample library displaying the different mineral occurrences of our subsoil. The public was thrilled to view precious stones, particularly diamonds, and gold bars, which are highly coveted commodities.

The General Manager, Serge Hervé BOYOGUENO, who took an active part in running the stand from the outset, seized the opportunity to engage in top-notch discussions with foreign investors and other potential partners in view of the development of a number of ongoing projects. It was also an occasion for the young manager to interact with Mining Engineering Graduates on issues relating to this specific sector.

This platform for exchange was equally an opportunity to receive very important visitors. Serge Hervé BOYOGUENO was pleased to welcome such distinguished guests to his stand as the Acting Minister of Mines, Industry and Technological Development, FUH Calistus Gentry, who toured companies under his supervision beginning with the National Mining Corporation on Thursday 22 February 2024.

On this occasion, SONAMINES was commended by its Tutelage upon signing the guestbook at the end of the visit. The Minister took the opportunity to encourage SONAMINES’ team for the results achieved so far, and urged the top management to keep up with these dynamics for the development of the mining sector. Another important visitor on Friday, 23 February was the Minister of State, Secretary General of the Presidency of the Republic, Ferdinand NGOH NGOH, who came to find out about the activities of this young structure, which is very promising for the Cameroonian economy. He grabbed the opportunity to reiterate the very high instructions of the President of the Republic regarding the expectations placed in it.

Ultimately, Promote 2024 was an opportunity for the National Mining Corporation (SONAMINES) to showcase its expertise and institutional positioning. We look forward to the next edition.