Gabon pushes manganese transformation with Eramet’s 700,000-tonne target by 2031
The Gabonese extractive sector is on the cusp of a major transformation. In a landmark agreement finalized in Paris, Eramet and its subsidiary Eramet Comilog have pledged to significantly boost local processing of Gabon’s manganese output. The ambitious target: reaching a 700,000-tonne processing capacity on Gabonese soil by 2031. The signing ceremony, held at the Élysée Palace on July 20, brought together Gabon’s transitional president Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema and top executives from the French mining group, underscoring the high-stakes negotiations conducted at the highest levels of government.
From rhetoric to reality: industrial transformation takes center stage
Since the military-led transition took power in August 2023, Gabonese authorities have consistently pushed for deeper local processing of mineral resources. Despite being the world’s second-largest manganese producer, Gabon has historically exported most of its output as raw ore, allowing foreign industries to capture the added value. The Paris agreement marks a decisive shift in policy, even if the current framework remains non-binding. For Eramet, which has operated in Gabon for over six decades through Comilog, this commitment represents a long-overdue response to Libreville’s demands. The group, listed on the CAC index, derives a substantial portion of its revenue from its Moanda operations in the Haut-Ogooué province. Achieving the 700,000-tonne target will require expanding existing metallurgical units and constructing new industrial facilities capable of handling the increased volume.
Mining sovereignty: a cornerstone of Gabon’s economic vision
Gabon’s transitional leadership has made reclaiming mining value as a cornerstone of its economic policy. Manganese, a critical mineral for global steelmaking and increasingly vital for lithium-ion batteries, sits at the heart of this strategy. Processing the mineral locally promises higher tax revenues, job creation, and positioning Gabon in higher-value segments of the supply chain. The 2031 timeline provides Eramet with a phased investment strategy but also sets a clear political deadline: the Transition aims to deliver tangible results before the decade’s end. However, converting this protocol into firm financial commitments, feasibility studies, and investment decisions remains the next critical hurdle. No aggregate funding figure has been disclosed by either party.
The agreement’s signing coincides with a diplomatic thaw between Libreville and Paris. During his visit to France, President Oligui Nguema leveraged the occasion to reinforce bilateral ties, marking a year since the gradual normalization of post-coup relations. The Gabonese head of state’s presence at the ceremony elevated the protocol’s significance beyond mere industrial cooperation, embedding it in a broader geopolitical context.
Setting a precedent for local content in Gabon’s mining sector
Beyond Eramet, this accord sets a potential template for future negotiations with other mining operators in Gabon. Authorities may use this model to renegotiate terms for other resources, from iron ore to rare earths. The government’s ability to enforce the 2031 timeline will serve as a litmus test for its broader mining sovereignty agenda. For Eramet, the pledge could translate into long-term stability for its Gabonese operations and secured mining permits. With challenges in its Argentine and Indonesian assets, the group stands to benefit from a stable African anchor. Local processing of manganese could also enhance its environmental, social, and governance (ESG) credentials, a growing priority for European investors scrutinizing supply chains.
A critical question looms: energy supply. Processing 700,000 tonnes of ore demands substantial electricity, in a country where infrastructure deficits persist. The industrial roadmap must align with a coherent energy strategy to avoid the 2031 target becoming an unattainable goal.
