Africa’s second-largest manganese producer is accelerating its push to move beyond raw mineral exports, compelling French mining giant Eramet to deepen its investment in local processing as the global race for critical minerals intensifies.
Eramet on Monday signed a memorandum of understanding with the Gabonese government to develop new manganese processing facilities capable of treating up to 700,000 tonnes of ore annually by the end of 2031, marking one of the country’s biggest steps yet towards building a domestic value chain around one of its most valuable mineral resources.
The agreement, signed in Paris during Gabonese President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema’s visit to France and witnessed by French President Emmanuel Macron, comes as Libreville prepares to prohibit exports of unprocessed manganese from January 2029, a policy designed to force greater industrialisation inside the country.
For Eramet, one of the world’s leading manganese producers through its Gabonese subsidiary Comilog, the deal represents more than compliance with a new government policy.
It is an early attempt to establish a foothold in the fast-growing market for battery materials while strengthening its long-standing position in steel production.
