The government has granted two mineral exploration permits to Dangote Cement to assess carbonate phosphate reserves in Kpom? Ap?y?m?, Zio prefecture and Akoumap?, Vo prefecture. The licences are valid for three years with options for renewal. If suitable deposits are found then they could support plans by the cement producer to build a plant in the country. Dangote Cement received government clearance to build a 1.5 MT/year grinding plant for $60 million in late 2019.