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Sundance Resources Limited and Cam Iron SA v. Republic of Cameroon, ICC Case No. 26291/AZO

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Short Name:

Sundance and Cam Iron v. Cameroon (I)

Case Type:
International Commercial Arbitration (State–Private)
Applicable Procedural Rules:
ICC, ICC Arbitration Rules (2017)
Seat of Arbitration:
Paris (France)
Economic Sector:
Mining and Quarrying, Including Hydrocarbons (oil and Gas)
Outcome:
In Favour of Claimant(s)
Amount of Damages:
US $616,000,000

Available documents

16 Dec 2020
Notice of Dispute
Document Details:
Participants listed are for this document only and may not include all participants involved in the entire case. Always consult the original documents.
Claimant appointee
Respondent appointee
Tribunal/Panel chair
Arbitrator(s)
Sole Arbitrator
ICSID Annulment Committee president
ICSID Annulment Committee members
WTO Appellate Body members
WTO Appellate Body chair
Judges
Claimant's counsel
Respondent's counsel
Other counsel
Claimant's expert
Respondent's expert
Claimant's witness
Respondent's witness
Other witnesses
Tribunal secretary
Tribunal assistant
Country
Print reporter
Entities
This summary note is machine-generated. Always consult the original materials.


26 Apr 2024
Claimant's Press Release on the Stutus of Proceedings
Document Details:
PARTICIPANTS
Claimant's Press Release on the Stutus of Proceedings
Participants listed are for this document only and may not include all participants involved in the entire case. Always consult the original documents.
Claimant appointee
Respondent appointee
Tribunal/Panel chair
Arbitrator(s)
Sole Arbitrator
ICSID Annulment Committee president
ICSID Annulment Committee members
WTO Appellate Body members
WTO Appellate Body chair
Judges
Claimant's counsel
Respondent's counsel
Other counsel
Claimant's expert
Respondent's expert
Claimant's witness
Respondent's witness
Other witnesses
Tribunal secretary
Tribunal assistant
Country
Print reporter
Entities
Sundance Resources Limited, Cam Iron SA, Congo, Cameroon
Document Summary
Claimant's Press Release on the Stutus of Proceedings
This summary note is machine-generated. Always consult the original materials.

Procedural Posture and Purpose

This document is a corporate update issued by Sundance Resources Limited on 26 April 2024, detailing the procedural status of its ongoing international arbitrations against the Republic of the Congo and the Republic of Cameroon, as well as related domestic litigation in Australia.

Status of ICC Arbitrations

In the ICC arbitration against Congo concerning the alleged expropriation of the Nabeba Mining Permit, the proceedings have encountered a procedural delay. While the final reply was submitted by Congo in December 2023, the merits hearing anticipated for the second quarter of 2024 was postponed due to the death of the tribunal President, necessitating the constitution of a new presiding arbitrator.

Regarding the dispute with Cameroon over the Mbalam permit, the update notes that an ICC Emergency Arbitrator previously issued an interim binding order on 1 April 2022, enjoining Cameroon from granting the exploitation permit to third parties. Cameroon’s subsequent request to annul this interim order was dismissed on 20 July 2022, with the Emergency Arbitrator finding the request admissible but entirely without merit. Despite these emergency measures, Cameroon reportedly issued a presidential decree granting the permit to a third-party entity. The parties are currently engaged in document production, with a merits hearing expected in early 2025.

Domestic Litigation

The update further confirms the conclusion of pre-action discovery proceedings against AustSino in the Supreme Court of Western Australia, noting that associated costs have been resolved while the claimant's board considers further legal steps.
2 Jul 2024
Claimant's Press Release on Party Submissions
Document Details:
PARTICIPANTS
Claimant's Press Release on Party Submissions
Participants listed are for this document only and may not include all participants involved in the entire case. Always consult the original documents.
Claimant appointee
Respondent appointee
Tribunal/Panel chair
Arbitrator(s)
Sole Arbitrator
ICSID Annulment Committee president
ICSID Annulment Committee members
WTO Appellate Body members
WTO Appellate Body chair
Judges
Claimant's counsel
Respondent's counsel
Other counsel
Claimant's expert
Respondent's expert
Claimant's witness
Respondent's witness
Other witnesses
Tribunal secretary
Tribunal assistant
Country
Print reporter
Entities
Sundance Resources Limited, Cam Iron SA, Cameroon
Document Summary
Claimant's Press Release on Party Submissions
This summary note is machine-generated. Always consult the original materials.

This document is a corporate procedural update issued by the claimant on July 2, 2024, concerning its ongoing International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) arbitration against the Republic of Cameroon. The update formally records the claimant's submission of its Statement of Reply, responding to the respondent State's Statement of Defence, thereby advancing the written phase of the arbitral proceedings.

Additionally, the document confirms the procedural calendar for the oral phase of the dispute. The tribunal has scheduled the evidentiary hearing to take place in Paris from January 27 to 31, 2025. Finally, the claimant clarifies that a separate conditional settlement agreement executed with the Republic of the Congo on July 1, 2024, operates independently and carries no legal or procedural prejudice to the continuation of the present ICC arbitration against Cameroon.
16 Sep 2024
Claimant's Press Release on Party Submissions
Document Details:
PARTICIPANTS
Claimant's Press Release on Party Submissions
Participants listed are for this document only and may not include all participants involved in the entire case. Always consult the original documents.
Claimant appointee
Respondent appointee
Tribunal/Panel chair
Arbitrator(s)
Sole Arbitrator
ICSID Annulment Committee president
ICSID Annulment Committee members
WTO Appellate Body members
WTO Appellate Body chair
Judges
Claimant's counsel
Respondent's counsel
Other counsel
Claimant's expert
Respondent's expert
Claimant's witness
Respondent's witness
Other witnesses
Tribunal secretary
Tribunal assistant
Country
Print reporter
Entities
Sundance Resources Limited, Cam Iron SA, Cameroon
Document Summary
Claimant's Press Release on Party Submissions
This summary note is machine-generated. Always consult the original materials.

This document is a public update issued by the Claimant on 16 September 2024, detailing recent procedural developments in the ongoing International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) arbitration against the Respondent, Cameroon.

The Claimant reports that the Respondent failed to submit its Rejoinder by the scheduled procedural deadline of 9 September 2024. According to the Claimant, which cites local media reports, this procedural default is attributable to the Respondent's failure to remunerate its external legal counsel and independent experts, resulting in a cessation of their work on the matter.

Despite the Respondent's failure to file its scheduled submission, the Claimant maintains its strict position that the evidentiary hearing, currently scheduled to take place in Paris from 27 to 31 January 2025, must proceed as originally calendared. Furthermore, the Claimant clarifies that a separate conditional settlement reached with Congo on 1 July 2024 has no legal or procedural bearing on the present ICC proceedings against Cameroon.
20 Nov 2024
Claimant's Press Release on Hearing
Document Details:
PARTICIPANTS
Claimant's Press Release on Hearing
Participants listed are for this document only and may not include all participants involved in the entire case. Always consult the original documents.
Claimant appointee
Respondent appointee
Tribunal/Panel chair
Arbitrator(s)
Sole Arbitrator
ICSID Annulment Committee president
ICSID Annulment Committee members
WTO Appellate Body members
WTO Appellate Body chair
Judges
Claimant's counsel
Respondent's counsel
Other counsel
Claimant's expert
Respondent's expert
Claimant's witness
Respondent's witness
Other witnesses
Tribunal secretary
Tribunal assistant
Country
Print reporter
Entities
Sundance Resources Limited, Cam Iron SA, Congo, Cameroon
Document Summary
Claimant's Press Release on Hearing
This summary note is machine-generated. Always consult the original materials.

This document is a public procedural update issued on November 20, 2024, detailing the status of ongoing International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) arbitration proceedings initiated by Sundance Resources Limited and its subsidiary, Congo Iron SA, against the Republic of Congo.

The release formally confirms the conclusion of the evidentiary hearing, which convened before the ICC International Court of Arbitration in Paris from November 14 to November 17, 2024. Following the closure of the hearing, the matter is now under deliberation by the arbitral tribunal, with a final decision or award anticipated within a timeframe of six to eight months.

Furthermore, the document clarifies the procedural demarcation between the claimant's concurrent regional disputes. It expressly notes that ongoing settlement negotiations with the Republic of Congo are independent of, and without prejudice to, the claimant's separate ICC arbitration against the Republic of Cameroon, which is scheduled for further proceedings in late January 2025.
3 Feb 2025
Claimant's Press Release on Hearing
Document Details:
PARTICIPANTS
Claimant's Press Release on Hearing
Participants listed are for this document only and may not include all participants involved in the entire case. Always consult the original documents.
Claimant appointee
Respondent appointee
Tribunal/Panel chair
Arbitrator(s)
Sole Arbitrator
ICSID Annulment Committee president
ICSID Annulment Committee members
WTO Appellate Body members
WTO Appellate Body chair
Judges
Claimant's counsel
Respondent's counsel
Other counsel
Claimant's expert
Respondent's expert
Claimant's witness
Respondent's witness
Other witnesses
Tribunal secretary
Tribunal assistant
Country
Print reporter
Entities
Document Summary
Claimant's Press Release on Hearing
This summary note is machine-generated. Always consult the original materials.


3 Sep 2025
Claimant's Press Release on Hearing
Document Details:
PARTICIPANTS
Claimant's Press Release on Hearing
Participants listed are for this document only and may not include all participants involved in the entire case. Always consult the original documents.
Claimant appointee
Respondent appointee
Tribunal/Panel chair
Arbitrator(s)
Sole Arbitrator
ICSID Annulment Committee president
ICSID Annulment Committee members
WTO Appellate Body members
WTO Appellate Body chair
Judges
Claimant's counsel
Respondent's counsel
Other counsel
Claimant's expert
Respondent's expert
Claimant's witness
Respondent's witness
Other witnesses
Tribunal secretary
Tribunal assistant
Country
Print reporter
Entities
Sundance Resources Limited, Cam Iron SA, Cameroon, Congo
Document Summary
Claimant's Press Release on Hearing
This summary note is machine-generated. Always consult the original materials.

This document is a corporate press release issued by the claimant, providing a procedural update on two parallel international arbitration proceedings administered by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) against the Republic of Cameroon and the Republic of Congo.

The update confirms the conclusion of the evidentiary hearings and the completion of all post-hearing submissions before the respective arbitral tribunals. Furthermore, the document outlines the anticipated procedural timeline for the issuance of the final arbitral awards. According to communications from the ICC, the tribunal's decision in the proceedings against the Republic of Congo is not expected prior to 28 November 2025, while the award in the proceedings against the Republic of Cameroon is not expected before 31 December 2025.
24 Jul 2026
Award
Document Details:
Participants listed are for this document only and may not include all participants involved in the entire case. Always consult the original documents.
Claimant appointee
Respondent appointee
Tribunal/Panel chair
Arbitrator(s)
Sole Arbitrator
ICSID Annulment Committee president
ICSID Annulment Committee members
WTO Appellate Body members
WTO Appellate Body chair
Judges
Claimant's counsel
Respondent's counsel
Other counsel
Claimant's expert
Respondent's expert
Claimant's witness
Respondent's witness
Other witnesses
Tribunal secretary
Tribunal assistant
Country
Print reporter
Entities
This summary note is machine-generated. Always consult the original materials.


24 Jul 2026
Burford's Press Release on Final Award
Document Details:
PARTICIPANTS
Burford's Press Release on Final Award
Participants listed are for this document only and may not include all participants involved in the entire case. Always consult the original documents.
Claimant appointee
Respondent appointee
Tribunal/Panel chair
Arbitrator(s)
Sole Arbitrator
ICSID Annulment Committee president
ICSID Annulment Committee members
WTO Appellate Body members
WTO Appellate Body chair
Judges
Claimant's counsel
Respondent's counsel
Other counsel
Claimant's expert
Respondent's expert
Claimant's witness
Respondent's witness
Other witnesses
Tribunal secretary
Tribunal assistant
Country
Print reporter
Entities
Burford Capital, Sundance Resources Limited, Cam Iron SA, Cameroon
Document Summary
Burford's Press Release on Final Award
This summary note is machine-generated. Always consult the original materials.

This document is a public statement issued by Burford Capital on July 24, 2026, announcing the issuance of an arbitral award by a tribunal constituted under the rules of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) International Court of Arbitration. The underlying dispute concerns a mining arbitration matter involving Cameroon.

According to the statement, the ICC tribunal rendered an award in favor of one of Burford’s funded counterparties in an amount exceeding US$600 million. Burford disclosed that its potential entitlement from the award, assuming full recovery, would exceed AUD$250 million, which would accrue entirely to its corporate balance sheet rather than its investment funds.

The statement further emphasizes the procedural and enforcement realities of international arbitration, noting that the award remains subject to significant litigation and collection risks. These include potential annulment or set-aside proceedings, as well as cross-border enforcement and collateral litigation. Burford explicitly disclaimed that the issuance of the award represents immediate cash proceeds, acknowledging the inherent uncertainty regarding the timing and ultimate quantum of recovery.
26 Jul 2026
Claimant's Press Release on Final Award
Document Details:
PARTICIPANTS
Claimant's Press Release on Final Award
Participants listed are for this document only and may not include all participants involved in the entire case. Always consult the original documents.
Claimant appointee
Respondent appointee
Tribunal/Panel chair
Arbitrator(s)
Sole Arbitrator
ICSID Annulment Committee president
ICSID Annulment Committee members
WTO Appellate Body members
WTO Appellate Body chair
Judges
Claimant's counsel
Respondent's counsel
Other counsel
Claimant's expert
Respondent's expert
Claimant's witness
Respondent's witness
Other witnesses
Tribunal secretary
Tribunal assistant
Country
Print reporter
Entities
Sundance Resources Limited, Cam Iron SA, Burford Capital, Clifford Chance, Cameroon
Document Summary
Claimant's Press Release on Final Award
This summary note is machine-generated. Always consult the original materials.

This document is a press release issued by Sundance Resources Ltd on July 26, 2026, announcing the issuance of a final arbitral award by an International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) tribunal in its dispute against the Republic of Cameroon. The underlying arbitration concerned Cameroon's alleged breaches of its legal obligations regarding the claimants' investments in the Nabeba-Mbalam iron ore deposit.

According to the release, the ICC tribunal determined that Cameroon breached its legal obligations to Sundance and its subsidiary, Cam Iron SA. Furthermore, the tribunal found that the respondent State breached the applicable arbitration agreement by failing to comply with a prior ICC Emergency Order issued in March 2022, which had expressly prohibited Cameroon from issuing the Mbalam permit to any third party.

In its dispositive findings, the tribunal awarded the claimants damages, interest, and costs totaling approximately USD 616 million. The press release notes that the claimants, supported by their legal representatives and third-party funder, intend to pursue enforcement proceedings should Cameroon fail to voluntarily comply with its payment obligations under the award.