Gabon’s manganese sector shifts toward local processing amid logistical hurdles
Gabon’s manganese production dipped to 9.1 million tonnes, spotlighting critical weaknesses in its logistics network. Repeated breakdowns and bottlenecks along the Transgabonais railway, which links mining zones to the Owendo port, have long hampered efficiency. Yet the fourth quarter of 2025 marked a clear rebound in output.
The revival stems from renewed activity at the Moanda and Franceville deposits, pushing the national production index up by 10.8% compared to the previous quarter, as reported by the Directorate-General for the Economy and Fiscal Policy (DEPF). Beyond extraction, the sector is gradually embracing local processing—a strategic pivot to add value before export.
In July 2026, the Gabonese government and France-based 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 Moanda metallurgical complex, establishing new processing units near Owendo, or constructing a manganese oxide battery plant close to Libreville.
Addressing public skepticism, the Ministry of Industry clarified that Eramet’s commitment covers only its own production. Other operators will also be required to contribute to the transformation drive, aligning with the government’s push for industrial deepening.
Eramet is also prioritizing energy supply solutions and biocharcoal integration, reinforcing the industry’s readiness for the 2029 deadline—when raw ore exports will be banned entirely.
