Production of manganese in Gabon slumped to 9.1 million tonnes, highlighting persistent challenges in the logistics network. Frequent breakdowns and bottlenecks along the railway, including the Transgabonais route to the Owendo port, disrupted operations. Yet, the final quarter of 2025 marked a significant rebound in output.
The recovery was driven by renewed activity at the Moanda and Franceville mines, where production surged by 10.8% compared to the previous quarter, as reported by the Directorate General for Economy and Fiscal Policy. Beyond extraction, the sector is gradually embracing local processing as a priority.
The government’s push for industrial transformation gained momentum in July 2026, when officials in Gabon and Eramet, a French multinational, formalised an agreement in Paris. The deal commits Eramet to processing up to 700,000 tonnes of manganese ore annually within the country by the end of 2031. Three potential pathways are under consideration: upgrading the metallurgical complex in Moanda, establishing new processing units in Owendo, or constructing a manganese oxide plant for battery production near Libreville.
Addressing public concerns, the Ministry of Industry clarified that Eramet’s commitment covers only part of the total. Other mining operators will also be required to contribute to the local transformation effort. Meanwhile, Eramet is advancing plans to secure energy supply and integrate biocharcoal, reinforcing its vision for a sustainable transition ahead of the 2029 deadline, when raw ore exports will be prohibited.
