Gabon – home to 25% of the world’s manganese reserves and vast mineral riches – is rapidly establishing its mining sector as a key force in economic diversification. Oil accounts for around 38% of the country's GDP and 80% of export earnings, but the government has ambitious plans to develop the mining industry. 

The African country – one of the world's most forested nations, with 85% of its land area covered by tropical rainforests – lies next to the Atlantic Ocean and is endowed with vast mineral wealth. It holds around 150mn tonnes of manganese reserves, making it the second-largest reserve base globally after South Africa, which has 600mn. The Moanda mine, operated by Comilog, a subsidiary of French mining giant Eramet, is the centrepiece of Gabon’s manganese industry. Located in Haut-Ogooué Province in the southeast, it produced 7.5mn of high-grade manganese ore in 2022. 

Manganese is essential for steel production, improving strength and durability. It is also critical for batteries, including those used in electric vehicles. It also has applications in chemicals and fertilisers.

Beyond its vast manganese reserves, Gabon is rich in other minerals that underline its potential as a diversified mining hub. The Belinga iron ore deposit in Ogooué-Ivindo Province in the country's northeast, with over 1bn tonnes of high-grade ore, stands out as one of Africa's largest untapped reserves, offering immense opportunities for the steel industry. 

Gold deposits – around 40 tonnes of proven reserves concentrated in Ngounié Province around the Eteke region in the country's south – are already being extracted through artisanal mining, with ongoing exploration to scale up industrial production. The country produces around 2 tonnes of gold annually, primarily from alluvial sources. 

The country also hosts around 61,000 tonnes of rare earth reserves, accounting for around 4% of the global total. The Mabounié polymetallic deposit in Moyen-Ogooué Province in the country's centre-west is particularly noteworthy. It contains niobium (1.2%), tantalum (0.03%), rare earth elements (1.4%) and uranium (0.03%). Gabon also has substantial phosphate reserves for agricultural and industrial applications.

The country's mineral diversity also includes small-scale diamond deposits, copper, and colombo-tantalite (coltan), which hold potential for further development, particularly in the electronics sector. It is home to limestone reserves used in cement production and has identified occurrences of lead and zinc, though these remain largely underexploited. 

The country’s geology, shaped by its location on the Precambrian Craton, underpins this mineral wealth. The eastern and southeastern Precambrian Shield hosts the richest deposits, including manganese and iron ore, while sedimentary basins in the west hold phosphates and other industrial minerals. Scattered greenstone belts across the country are associated with gold and base metal deposits, further enhancing Gabon’s mineral diversity. 

The country is divided into nine provinces with distinct geographical and economic characteristics. Haut-Ogooué Province, bordering the Republic of Congo in the southeast, is a hub of mining activity. Franceville, the provincial capital, and the mining town of Moanda drive much of Gabon's manganese production. In the northeast, Ogooué-Ivindo Province is home to the Belinga iron ore deposit, representing the most significant potential for the country's future in the steel industry. 

Meanwhile, Ngounié Province in the south is recognised for its gold mining operations, particularly in the Eteke region, where artisanal extraction contributes to the local economy.

The Moanda mine is the country's most significant mining operation. Well known for its exceptional quality, the deposit produces ore with a manganese content exceeding 50%, making it one of the richest in the world. The mine is expected to remain in production for decades to come. 

The Belinga iron ore deposit in Ogooué-Ivindo Province is another of Gabon's most important assets. It ranks among the most significant untapped high-grade reserves globally, holding over 1bn tonnes of ore with an iron concentration exceeding 60%. In February 2023, Fortescue Metals Group (FMG), an Australian mining company, initiated the deposit's development with an initial investment of over $200mn for early-stage activities, including exploration and infrastructure setup.

Since 2018, FMG has been assessing the deposit's potential. In 2021, its joint venture, Ivindo Iron, signed a $90mn agreement with the Gabonese government to evaluate the deposit's size, grade and transport logistics. The project reached a significant milestone in December 2023, with the export of its first iron ore cargo marking the start of production. 

Despite challenges, including strained relations with the nation's military rulers following the August 2023 coup, FMG remains committed to Belinga, viewing it as a long-term investment with the potential to substantially contribute to Gabon's economy.

Gabon's economy is projected to experience moderate growth in the coming years, with the International Monetary Fund estimating a real GDP growth rate of 2.63% in 2025, slightly tapering to 2.56% in 2026. In nominal terms, Gabon's GDP is expected to reach $20.97bn in 2025 and rise to $21.5bn in 2026. Its income per head is one of the highest in Africa. Per capita GDP is projected to remain stable, increasing marginally from $9,094 in 2025 to $9,128 in 2026.

As measured by average consumer prices, inflation is forecast to remain relatively low, at 2.16% in 2025 and 2.23% in 2026, suggesting a stable price environment for goods and services. Gabon's population is expected to expand from 2.306mn in 2025 to 2.356mn in 2026, indicating a steady demographic increase.

However, the country faces challenges with its fiscal position, as the IMF estimates general government gross debt to rise significantly, from 79.95% of GDP in 2025 to 85.43% in 2026. 

Libreville is the capital and largest city on the north shore of the Gabon Estuary, near the Gulf of Guinea. Its population is estimated to be up to 800,000. 

While Gabon's mining sector currently contributes around 6% of GDP, its potential remains untapped. The government aims to increase the mining sector's contribution to 25% by 2030, though it is not certain that ambitious target will be met. 

The government's Transformation Acceleration Plan (PAT) for 2021-2023 identified mining as one of four key growth sectors. This initiative aimed to reduce the oil sector's share of GDP from 38.5% in 2020 to less than 20% by 2025, thereby increasing the mining sector's contribution.

The country is a significant exporter of minerals, with manganese ore being a major component of its export economy. In 2022, Gabon's top exports were crude petroleum ($4.88bn) and manganese ore ($1.83bn). The most common destinations for these exports were China ($3.4bn), South Korea ($617mn), Italy ($576mn), India ($527mn) and Indonesia ($394mn). 

Manganese, the most significant mineral export, is predominantly shipped to China, its largest buyer and accounts for most of its ore exports. Other key destinations include India, France and the United States.

Gold is exported to markets in Switzerland and other refining hubs and is undergoing further processing. Emerging iron ore exports, particularly with the ongoing development of the Belinga project, are expected to target China and Europe, key regions with high demand for steelmaking inputs.

Moreover, Gabon is under the leadership of General Brice Oligui Nguema, who assumed the role of transitional president following a military coup on August 30, 2023, which deposed President Ali Bongo Ondimba. Before the coup, general elections were held on August 26, 2023, in which President Bongo was declared the winner. However, the military annulled the election results following the coup.

The transitional government has announced plans to hold presidential and legislative elections in August 2025, following a period of national dialogue and the establishment of transitional institutions. The transitional authorities announced that Bongo was "free to move about" and could "travel abroad for medical check-ups" if he wished. 

Despite this, Bongo chose to remain in Gabon, residing in his private residence in Libreville. In September 2024, he announced his retirement from politics and appealed for the release of his wife, Sylvia, and son, Noureddin. 

The military coup introduced uncertainties into Gabon's political and economic landscape. In the immediate aftermath, companies such as Eramet, a leading manganese producer, temporarily suspended operations to ensure the safety of their personnel and assets. 

Despite these disruptions, the transitional government has committed to maintaining and advancing mining activities. Eramet, for instance, resumed its manganese mining operations shortly after the coup, indicating a stabilisation of the operational environment.

However, challenges persist. Fortescue's Belinga project has faced delays, with reports of limited progress and strained relations with Gabon's military rulers. Operations have been paused, and workforce adjustments have been made, reflecting the complexities of operating in a post-coup environment.
 
The country is intensifying efforts to refine and process its minerals, reducing reliance on raw exports. In June 2023, it inaugurated its first gold refinery, the Gabonese Gold Refinery (ROG), in the Nkok Special Economic Zone near Libreville. A joint venture between the state-owned Equatorial Mining Company and Alpha Centauri Mining, the facility can process 7-10 tonnes of gold annually.

In the manganese sector, Gabon has advanced with the Moanda Metallurgical Complex (CMM), which processes high-grade manganese into silico-manganese and manganese metal for export. Operated by Comilog and powered by the Grand Poubara Hydropower Station, it ensures sustainable operations. Nouvelle Gabon Mining (NGM), active in Franceville and Okondja, began production in 2017 with an annual capacity of 2mn tonnes of manganese ore and is developing a greenfield project at Mounana to produce ferroalloys, further boosting the country's processing capabilities.

The country has recently attracted significant investments in its mining sector, reflecting its commitment to diversifying its economy beyond oil dependence. 

In October 2024, Australian company Genmin raised $6.8mn to fund the development of the Baniaka iron project in southeastern Gabon. A pre-feasibility study conducted in 2022 indicated that an investment of approximately $200mn is needed to commence production by the second half of 2025. 

In March 2024, South African mining investment company Menar signed a memorandum of agreement with the Gabonese government to explore opportunities in the country's mining sector, specifically targeting manganese and iron ore. 

Furthermore, in February 2022, Alpha Centauri Mining (ACM), owned by British and Emirati investors, signed agreements with the Gabonese government to enhance gold exploration, exploitation and refining. ACM's operations, which began in 2016, have been producing approximately 100 kilograms of gold per month as of September 2021. 

Gabon's mining sector operates under a comprehensive legal framework designed to regulate and promote the industry, ensuring sustainability and economic benefits. The cornerstone of this framework is the Mining Code, established by Law No. 037/2018 of 23 January 2019, which replaced the previous 2000 Mining Code. This modernised legislation aims to attract investment, increase transparency, and integrate sustainable practices into mining activities. The provisions of the Mining Code are detailed further in Decree No. 0011/PR/MMIM of 11 February 2019, which outlines procedures for permit applications, tax and royalty structures, environmental assessments and artisanal mining activities.

Environmental sustainability is a key aspect of mining regulation in Gabon. Mining projects must comply with the country's environmental protection laws, particularly Law No. 003/2007 on Environmental Protection. This law mandates preparing environmental and social impact assessments (ESIAs) and environmental management plans (EMPs) for all mining operations, ensuring that environmental and social considerations are integral to project planning and execution.

Investment in Gabon's mining sector is also governed by the Investment Charter of Gabon, established under Law No. 15/1998. This law provides incentives such as tax holidays and customs exemptions to encourage local and foreign investors to participate. In addition, the Labour Code, introduced by Law No. 3/94 of 21 November 1994, regulates employment relations in mining operations, particularly emphasising the recruitment and training of Gabonese nationals.

The Law on Public-Private Partnerships, enacted as Law No. 045/2010, supports the development of mining-related infrastructure projects. This legislation facilitates collaboration between the government and private entities to ensure the construction of essential infrastructure, such as transportation and energy facilities, crucial for large-scale mining activities.

However, while infrastructure development is vital to unlocking Gabon's mining potential, it also brings environmental challenges that must be carefully managed. Environmental impacts, particularly in ecologically sensitive areas like the Congo Basin, are a considerable concern. Mining activities often cause deforestation, soil degradation, and water pollution, threatening the country's rich biodiversity. 

For instance, manganese mining near Moanda has raised alarms over ecosystem contamination and its effect on local communities. While the government has introduced measures under its National Environment Strategy to address these issues, enforcement in remote regions remains inconsistent, complicating the balance between environmental preservation and economic growth.

Infrastructure deficiencies further hinder the mining sector’s development. The Trans-Gabon Railway, critical for transporting manganese to the port of Owendo, frequently faces capacity constraints and maintenance issues, leading to delays and higher costs. Additionally, inadequate energy supply in mining hubs like Haut-Ogooué Province forces companies to rely on costly off-grid solutions, limiting operational efficiency. Although the government has prioritised infrastructure development, progress has been slow, leaving gaps that deter investment.

The regulatory framework also presents obstacles. Gabon's 2019 mining code aimed to attract foreign investment while boosting state revenues, but stricter local content requirements, higher royalties, and restrictions on foreign ownership have raised concerns among investors. While intended to retain more value within the country, these provisions are often considered unclear or overly burdensome, discouraging smaller operators and potential new entrants.

Recent investments underline the country’s mineral wealth and the government’s commitment to supporting its mining sector. While the political uncertainties following the 2023 coup pose challenges, the transitional government has an opportunity to stabilise the industry and build investor confidence. By addressing regulatory and infrastructure constraints and maintaining steady progress on key projects, Gabon can ensure its mining sector plays a more significant role in economic diversification. The coming months will be critical in shaping the industry’s contribution to the country’s long-term development.