Could the Central African Republic – Kribi iron ore corridor become the next major source of Capesize demand?
The Central African Republic's mineral resources have remained largely stranded because the country lacks direct access to the sea, and a proposal exists to build a 1,350-kilometre rail-line between the CAR and Kribi in neighbouring Cameroon. A&S Resources has reportedly secured $6 billion from an Indian financial institution to develop the railway infrastructure between its mining assets in CAR and Kribi, which is likely to be developed by a Chinese infrastructure company. The company estimates that its Bakala/Topa and Bogoin properties contain more than 20 billion tonnes of predominantly high-grade iron ore, a company estimate rather than a publicly verified source, and exports from the region are unlikely before the early 2030s.
Why it matters: The corridor bears on critical minerals supply chains, since it would offer China and India an additional source of iron ore and strategic minerals.