Gabon, France deepen industrial ties with Eramet manganese expansion deal

French mining group Eramet is considering a major expansion of manganese processing capacity in Gabon under a new industrial agreement. The plan could strengthen the country's industrial base and deepen economic ties between Gabon and France, two countries with a long history of mining cooperation dating back to the colonial era.

The proposed investment would also include modernizing Gabon's railway network, easing the transport of ore from mines to ports on the Atlantic coast. Officials say the goal is to reduce the country's reliance on exports of unprocessed manganese ore and increase local value added by processing more of the mineral domestically before it is shipped abroad.

Gabon is among the world's leading manganese producers, and Eramet, through its Comilog subsidiary, has long been a major operator in the country's mining sector. Manganese, used mainly in steelmaking and battery production, remains one of Gabon's most important export commodities alongside oil and timber. Neither side has yet detailed the final terms of the agreement or a timeline for the investment.