Industry & Mining

The mining sector has traditionally been a major currency earner for Gabon. The country is the world’s fourth-largest producer of manganese, and is thought to have more than 2bn tonnes of iron ore, over 40 tonnes of proven gold reserves, and a range of other base and rare-earth minerals, including lead, zinc, copper, diamonds, niobium and titanium. The mining sector’s contribution to GDP is estimated to have remained flat at 4% in 2015. However, the potential of the sector is illustrated by government plans to boost GDP contribution to 25% over the next 15 years.

This chapter contains interviews with Martial-Rufin Moussavou, Former Minister of Mining and Industry; and Pietro Amico, General Representative, Eramet Gabon.