Gabon to boost manganese processing with Eramet’s 700,000-tonne target by 2031

The Gabonese extractive sector is on the brink of a historic shift. In a landmark agreement signed in Paris, Eramet and its subsidiary Eramet Comilog have committed to significantly increasing local processing of Gabonese manganese. The bold target? Elevating the country’s processing capacity to 700,000 tonnes annually by 2031. The signing ceremony, held on July 20 at the Élysée Palace, brought together Gabon’s Transitional President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema and top executives from the French mining group, underscoring the high-stakes nature of the negotiations.

From raw export to local transformation: a long-awaited industrial pivot

Gabon, the world’s second-largest manganese producer, has long grappled with the paradox of exporting its mineral wealth in its raw form. The Paris agreement marks a decisive turn toward domestic value addition—a demand that has intensified since the military takeover in August 2023. While the protocol remains non-binding for now, it signals a clear policy shift from Libreville, which has repeatedly pressed for deeper industrial integration of the sector.

For Eramet, which has operated in Gabon for over six decades through its Comilog subsidiary, this commitment represents a response to years of criticism over its contribution to the country’s economy. The group, listed on the CAC, derives a substantial portion of its earnings from Gabon’s Moanda operations in the Haut-Ogooué region. Achieving the 700,000-tonne goal will require expanding existing metallurgical units and building new industrial infrastructure to handle the increased volume.

Mining sovereignty: the cornerstone of Gabon’s economic strategy

President Oligui Nguema has made reclaiming the value chain in mining a cornerstone of his administration’s economic policy. Manganese, a critical mineral for global steelmaking and increasingly vital for lithium-ion batteries, sits at the heart of this vision. Local processing promises additional fiscal revenues, high-skilled job creation, and positioning Gabon in higher-value market segments.

The 2031 timeline gives Eramet flexibility in phasing investments, but it also sets a clear political deadline. The Transitional government is determined to see tangible results before the decade’s end. The next critical step? Translating the protocol into concrete financial commitments, feasibility studies, and investment decisions. No total funding amount has been disclosed by the parties involved.

The signing comes at a diplomatically opportune moment for Gabon and France. During his visit to Paris, President Oligui Nguema also reinforced bilateral ties—one year after the gradual normalization of relations following the coup. The presence of the Gabonese head of state at the ceremony underscored the agreement’s significance beyond mere industrial terms.

A template for future mining negotiations

Beyond Eramet, this agreement sets a precedent that could reshape negotiations with other mining operators in Gabon. Authorities may leverage 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 strategy of mining sovereignty.

For Eramet, the upside of this commitment could include securing long-term mining permits and stabilizing its African operations. With challenges in Argentina and Indonesia, Gabon’s stable regulatory environment offers a valuable anchor. Local manganese processing could also enhance the group’s environmental, social, and governance (ESG) credentials, a growing priority for European investors scrutinizing the sector’s sustainability.

A critical hurdle remains: energy. Processing 700,000 tonnes of ore demands substantial electricity, in a country where power infrastructure gaps persist. The industrial equation will only work if paired with a robust energy strategy; otherwise, the 2031 target risks remaining an unfulfilled promise.