Gabon’s mining sector is poised for a significant transformation following a landmark agreement signed in Paris. The deal between the Gabonese government and French mining giant Eramet, through its subsidiary Eramet Comilog, outlines a bold plan to locally process 700,000 tons of manganese by 2031. The ceremony, held at the Élysée Palace on July 20, brought together Gabon’s transitional president, Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, and Eramet’s leadership, underscoring the high-level nature of the negotiations.
Local processing gains momentum after years of negotiations
Since the military-led government took power in August 2023, Libreville has repeatedly demanded greater domestic value addition for its mineral resources. As the world’s second-largest manganese producer, Gabon currently exports most of its output as raw ore, allowing other countries to capture the industrial added value. The Paris agreement marks a shift in policy, even if the framework remains non-binding at this stage.
For Eramet, which has operated in Gabon for over six decades through Comilog, this commitment reflects a long-standing demand from Libreville. The French mining group, listed on the CAC 40, derives a significant portion of its revenue from Gabon’s Moanda operations in the Haut-Ogooué province. Achieving the 700,000-ton target will require expanding existing metallurgical units and building new industrial facilities to handle the increased volume.
Mining sovereignty drives Gabon’s economic strategy
Gabon’s transitional leadership has made reclaiming mineral value addition a cornerstone of its economic policy. Manganese, a critical mineral for global steelmaking and increasingly vital for lithium-ion batteries, holds a strategic role in this vision. Processing locally means higher tax revenues, skilled job creation, and positioning Gabon in higher-value segments of the supply chain.
The 2031 timeline gives Eramet flexibility to phase its investments, but it also sets a clear political deadline for the Transition government. The challenge now is turning the protocol into concrete financial commitments, feasibility studies, and investment decisions. No total amount has been disclosed by the parties involved.
The signing took place amid strengthened diplomatic ties between Libreville and Paris. Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema’s visit to France included high-level discussions to consolidate bilateral relations, marking a year since post-coup normalization efforts began. The president’s presence at the ceremony elevated the protocol’s significance beyond industrial terms.
Local content strategy faces its first major test
Beyond Eramet, the agreement sets a precedent that could influence future negotiations with other mining operators in Gabon. Authorities may use this model to renegotiate terms for other resources, from iron to rare earths. The government’s ability to enforce the 2031 timeline will serve as a benchmark for its broader mineral sovereignty doctrine.
For Eramet, this commitment could secure long-term stability for its Gabonese operations amid challenges in other regions like Argentina and Indonesia. Local manganese processing, if realized, could also enhance the group’s carbon footprint—a growing concern for European investors prioritizing environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria.
A critical hurdle remains energy supply. Processing 700,000 tons of ore demands substantial electricity, in a country still grappling with infrastructure gaps. The industrial equation must align with a coherent energy strategy, or the 2031 target risks remaining unfulfilled.
