Innovation to Produce Low-Carbon Materials in Garoua, Cameroon

From January 28 to February 5, 2023, a study mission was conducted in Garoua, Cameroon, as part of the “Green Mining” initiative, supported by the ACP-EU Development Minerals Programme. 

The East, Far North, and North regions of Cameroon are facing a severe housing deficit exacerbated by security crises. Cement is essential for producing eco-friendly compressed, or stabilized, earth bricks, which can replace fired bricks produced by burning large quantities of trees and vegetation. However, as cement is transported from far away, it is very costly in distant regions. 

The mission explored the technical feasibility of producing LC2 (limestone calcined clay), a low-carbon cement variety, sampled locally available raw materials and tested the use of LC2 in stabilization of earth bricks. It examined the possibility of establishing a pilot unit for low-carbon cement production and developed a roadmap. 

It concluded that minerals, materials and expertise needed for eco-construction are locally available, and that low-carbon cement production is feasible on both artisanal and semi-industrial scales. Moreover, it was found that it is possible to produce cement using biomass and biogas. The initiative to introduce low-carbon materials production in these regions also has a strong potential for job creation.