Gabon’s manganese sector gears up for industrial transformation

The Gabonese manganese industry faced a challenging moment in late 2025, with production dropping to 9.1 million tonnes—highlighting persistent issues in the logistics chain, including frequent breakdowns and bottlenecks along the Transgabonais railway leading to the Owendo port. Yet, the fourth quarter of 2025 marked a clear rebound in output.

Production levels rebounded sharply, thanks to the restart of operations at the Moanda and Franceville mines. The national output index surged by 10.8% compared to the previous quarter, as reported by the Directorate General of Economics and Fiscal Policy. Beyond extraction, the sector is gradually shifting toward local processing, signaling a strategic pivot in industrial development.

In July 2026, the Gabonese government and the French multinational Eramet formalized a landmark agreement in Paris. The deal commits Eramet to processing up to 700,000 tonnes of manganese ore annually within Gabon by the end of 2031. Three potential pathways are under consideration: upgrading the metallurgical complex in Moanda, establishing new processing units in Owendo, or constructing an oxide manganese plant for battery production near Libreville.

Addressing public skepticism about the agreement’s scope, the Ministry of Industry clarified that Eramet’s commitment accounts for only part of the total. Other mining operators will be expected to contribute to the national transformation drive as well. Additionally, Eramet is advancing plans to secure a stable energy supply and integrate biocharcoal into its operations, reinforcing industry-wide preparations ahead of the 2029 deadline banning raw ore exports.