This is a best prospect industry sector for this country. Includes a market overview and trade data.
Last Published: 4/9/2019

Overview

Gabon has the second largest deposit of manganese in the world and is currently the world’s third largest producer.  Manganese is Gabon’s second largest export product, accounting for roughly 11%of Gabon’s total exports.  La Compagnie Minière de l’Ogooue (COMILOG), a subsidiary of the French company ERAMET, is the largest company currently producing manganese in Gabon.  In June 2015, COMILOG inaugurated a new factory to produce value-added manganese products in southeastern Gabon.  COMILOG’s target for ore production for 2018 is at least 4 million tons, in order to surpass its record in 2017.  Globally, global manganese production remained stable in the first quarter of 2018 compared to the same period in 2017.  This reflects the strong level of global steel activity. 

The government is seeking to diversify the mining companies operating in Gabon. The Directorate General of the Economy and Tax Policy (DGEPF) revealed that Gabon had produced 1.109 million tons of manganese in the first quarter of 2018, compared to 827,551 tons during the same period in 2017, an increase of 27.2%.
A number of other companies have or are exploring obtaining prospecting or exploration permits for iron, copper, diamonds, and other minerals.  A new mining code was signed into law in January 2015.

In 2006, the government signed an initial agreement with the China National Machinery and Equipment Import and Export Corporation for the development of the Belinga iron ore deposit in northeastern Gabon.  The project, which required extensive related infrastructure projects (roads, hydroelectric dam, railway, deep water port), was valued at U.S. $3.6 billion.  Due to performance, environmental, and financial concerns, the Gabonese government halted the project.  The Gabon Equatorial Mining Company was involved with the decision to put the Belinga Iron Ore exploration project on hold and is assisting in the audit of the mine.  The goal of the audit is to properly value the mine, adjudicate the environmental impact of the proposed development, and the level of investment/infrastructure needed for exploration.  In 2013 the Gabonese government reached a financial agreement with the Chinese concessionaire and reclaimed rights to Belinga.  Other international mining companies have expressed interest in Belinga and are in communication with the government.  
In February 2016, Gabonese mining firm SEM signed a partnership agreement with the Chinese company Myanning to explore gold reserves in the area. In order to further boost national gold production, in February 2017, the government sold seven additional licenses to four companies involved in the gold mining sector:  Alpha Centauri Mining SA, Gabon Gold, Maxi Gold and the Equatorial Mining Company (SEM).  According to the statistics of the Ministry of Mines, the country officially has 34 operators in the field of research, for a significant investment in 2017. For 2018, the minister expects a production of about 2 tons.  Production dropped to about 500 kg in 2017 after having reached 1,472 kg in 2015.
Sub-Sector Best Prospects
Mining sector services may provide an opportunity for U.S. investment and U.S. exports in the form of equipment.

Opportunities

The government is eager to diversify the mineral sector and has recently issued prospecting/exploration permits for iron, copper, diamonds, and other minerals.  Mining equipment, such as cranes, draglines, trucks and tractors, also presents an opportunity for U.S. suppliers.  In the past, local suppliers of U.S. equipment have competed successfully, relying on quality and competitive pricing. 
The government set-up the Gabon Equatorial Mining Company to improve the judicial, financial, and fiscal transparency of Gabon’s mining sector.  The government recruited top-notch Gabonese managers with international experience to run the company and is looking for joint-venture opportunities with global mining companies.

Resources

Direction General des Mines et de la Géologie (DGMG)
Ministère des Mines, de l’Industrie et du Tourisme (Ministry of Mines, Industry, and Tourism)
B.P. 576
Libreville, Gabon
Tel. +241-01-76-47-13
 
Gabon Mining Company (Compagnie Miniere Equatorial)
Rigobert Ikambouayat Ndeka , Director General
Tel: +241-07-10-40-15
http://www.gabonmining.com/
 
Comilog
http://www.eramet-comilog.com/

 

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