Belinga

Belinga is a location in Gabon with as yet unexploited iron ore deposits. These ore deposits extend into neighbouring Cameroon and Congo.

Mining

The Belinga iron reserves were discovered in 1895.[1][2] They are estimated to hold about one billion tons of iron ore.[2]

Iron ore mining was expected to start in 2011[3] but due to a lack of financing the project is currently on hold.[4]

Because of slowness in getting the project started, the Chinese rights may be in 2012 given to Australia's BHP Billiton.[5]

Transport

A 237 km long railway branch line is proposed branching from Booue to enable these deposits to be exploited. As the tonneages hauled will be greatly increased, this line may also extend to a port at Santa Clara which would extend the railway to 560 km.[6]

The town is near the Republic of Congo and Cameroon borders.

See also

References

  1. ↑ William Adams Hance, The Geography of Modern Africa (1975), page 304.
  2. 1 2 Douglas A. Yates, "Gabon", in Africa Yearbook: Politics, Economy and Society South of the Sahara 2006 (2007), page 257.
  3. ↑ http://www.fin24.com/articles/default/display_article.aspx?ArticleId=1518-25_2131461%5B%5D
  4. ↑ http://www.banktrack.org/show/dodgydeals/belinga_iron_ore_project
  5. ↑ "UPDATE: Mining Rights to Gabon’s Belinga Iron Ore Deposit in BHP Billiton’s Hands Soon". International Business Times. Archived from the original on 4 February 2012. Retrieved 16 August 2014.
  6. ↑ China to build Gabon railway.(News)

Coordinates: 01°08′00″N 13°07′00″E / 1.13333°N 13.11667°E / 1.13333; 13.11667


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