Eramet, its subsidiary Eramet Comilog, and the government of the Gabonese Republic have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to examine ways to increase the local processing of manganese ore.
The agreement was signed in Paris in the presence of Gabonese President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema and French President Emmanuel Macron.
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It outlines a plan to evaluate industrial solutions for transforming up to 700,000 tonnes per annum (tpa) of manganese ore in Gabon by the end of 2031.
The signed document sets out a roadmap to study three industrial projects.
The first scenario involves building a manganese oxide plant in the Libreville region, with an initial capacity of 10,000tpa.
If realised, the facility would process around 20,000t of ore for battery and steel sectors and could start production by 2028, pending investment decisions and validation from all parties.
There is also consideration for further production units if demand materialises.
The second project under review focuses on upgrading the existing Moanda Metallurgical Complex, where Eramet Comilog already processes part of its ore.
The site’s planned revamp aims to boost profitability and potentially increase production up to 70,000tpa of manganese alloys, using 150,000t of ore, with targeted recommissioning by 2029.
A third proposed scenario includes constructing a new manganese alloy plant near the coast.
This facility could have a capacity of 265,000tpa and would require approximately 530,000t of ore.
Undertaking this venture would need a separate investment agreement and assurance of energy and logistics infrastructure, with the potential start slated for 2031.
The MoU establishes a framework for monitoring and validating project conditions, particularly the provision of competitive energy, which Gabon has committed to support.
Eramet chair and CEO Christel Bories said: “We are delighted by the signing of this memorandum of understanding, which gives concrete form to the Group’s commitment alongside the Gabonese state to develop the Gabonese industrial sector.
“For over a year, our teams have been strongly mobilised to identify the best industrial solutions and support Gabon’s sovereign ambition to increase the local processing of its manganese resources.”
