Gabon: Oligui Nguema in France, major Eramet deal to transform manganese production locally

Gabon has taken a major step toward increasing the local processing of its mineral resources. At the beginning of the week in Paris, the Gabonese government and French mining group Eramet signed a memorandum of understanding on manganese transformation in the presence of President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema and French President Emmanuel Macron.

The agreement establishes a roadmap to develop new industrial capacities in Gabon and reduce the country’s dependence on raw mineral exports.

A strategic shift for the world’s second-largest manganese producer

Gabon is currently the world’s second-largest producer of manganese. Last year, authorities announced plans to ban the export of unprocessed manganese ore, with the measure set to come into force in January 2029. From that date, mining companies will be required to process more of their production locally in order to maintain access to the market. The agreement signed with Eramet provides for studies on three industrial projects that could together enable the processing of up to 700,000 tonnes of manganese ore per year by the end of 2031.

Three projects at the heart of Gabon’s industrial ambitions

The first project involves the construction of a manganese oxide plant near Libreville. The facility would target high-value markets, particularly battery production and high-performance steel industries, with operations potentially starting before the end of 2028.

The second project focuses on the modernization of the Moanda Metallurgical Complex, currently the country’s only active manganese processing facility. The third and most ambitious project would involve the construction of a new alloy production plant near the coast, with an expected processing capacity of around 530,000 tonnes of ore annually.

Eramet CEO Christel Bories said the partnership could contribute to Gabon’s long-term industrial development. “We will be able to succeed together and contribute over time to the economic and industrial development of Gabon,” she said in a statement from the French mining group.

A bet on batteries despite a challenging global market

Currently, most of Gabon’s manganese leaves the country in raw form, while the Moanda complex processes only part of national production. The global manganese market remains largely driven by the steel industry, which accounts for nearly 90% of demand, according to the International Energy Agency.

However, demand linked to electric vehicle batteries is expected to grow. Although it currently represents less than 1% of consumption, the battery sector could account for 5% of global manganese demand by 2035 and 10% by 2040.

This outlook explains Eramet’s interest in developing manganese oxide production for battery applications. The company nevertheless faces strong competition, particularly from China, which controlled about 95% of global battery-grade manganese sulfate supply in 2025.

Developing greener industrial production

The agreement also includes an environmental component. Eramet Comilog is developing a local biochar initiative using wood waste to replace imported metallurgical coke in the mineral processing chain. A pilot furnace is already operating in Lastourville with partner Precious Woods, while a larger production unit is being considered for 2029.

This project aims to reduce the carbon footprint of manganese processing while strengthening local value chains.

Investments still depend on economic conditions

Despite the ambitious roadmap, no final investment decision has yet been made. Each project will require further technical, environmental and financial validation, particularly regarding access to sufficient energy supplies. The Gabonese government owns 29% of Comilog, Eramet’s local subsidiary. A greater share of locally processed manganese could therefore generate additional public revenues and support employment opportunities.

For Gabon, the challenge goes beyond mining: it is about creating industrial jobs, increasing local expertise and capturing more value from natural resources. The partnership with Eramet sets a timetable. The next challenge will be turning these commitments into concrete investments before the 2029 deadline.