For environmental and economic reasons, the French Company Eramet suspended developing the project in October 2023.The French Firm Eramet worked on the Akonolinga deposit for four years before deciding it was unprofitable and posed environmental risk . To address these difficulties, Cameroon is exploring new options such as reducing the projects size and initial. Despite environmental challenges and lingering doubts about the project's profitability, the Cameroon's National Mining Company (SONAMINES), is refining its strategy, considering more tailored investments and a potential joint venture to successfully carry out this critical operation for the national economy. According to Serge Boyogueno,the Managing Director of the  National Mining Company  , said  forming a joint venture is one option . SONAMINES and the partner will have shared agreed parties according to their financial and technical capacities,and will share the profits in proportion to their According to the Minister of Mine,Fuh Calistus Gentry "we're going to resize the project and see how we can get 10,000 tonnes of ore out of it per year with a smaller company". With an investment of around $ 200 million, the Akonolinga Rutile Project could produce about 350,000 tonnes of rutile annually over five years. The project is expected to create jobs and contribute to the economic development of the country in general and the region (Centre region) in particular.                                                             

Christelle Koambi