Facing a sharp decline in its oil revenues, Gabon is charting a bold new course toward mining dominance. The government has unveiled a series of ambitious initiatives in recent months, backed by investments exceeding several hundred million dollars. Exploration and research activities are underway across multiple provinces, with projections indicating the country could emerge as a global leader in mineral production by 2030.
Industry transformation under new leadership
Seven months into his tenure as Gabon’s Minister of Mines, Sosthène Nguema Nguema speaks of palpable progress. The country’s mining sector is poised to become the new engine of its economy, traditionally reliant on petroleum revenues. The minister outlined a detailed roadmap: «We have identified and programmed the opening of several mines between 2026 and 2030. Within this timeframe, approximately eight mines are expected to commence operations. These include Milingui for iron, the potash mine, Etéké for gold, Baniaka for iron, Mébaga for iron, and M’Bilan for iron,» he explained.
The minister emphasized the employment opportunities these ventures will generate. «Today, we stand at 6% growth in the mining sector. Our goal is to surpass this figure in the coming months and years, aiming for a 15-20% increase,» he stated.
Economic dividends hinge on infrastructure
The ambitious plans, however, require robust infrastructure development. Economist Orphée Mouelé, a graduate of the Omar Bongo University, underscores critical prerequisites: «Technical success depends on essential factors such as transport infrastructure—roads, railways, ports, and bridges—to facilitate mineral transport. Equally crucial is strengthening energy production capacities, as energy is fundamental to this transformation,» he noted.
The NGO Ethics and Good Governance welcomes the economic prospects of the mining sector but stresses the need for tangible social impact. Dr. Edmiaune Zouga, the organization’s president, insists: «For us, the priority is social impact. These projects must benefit the average citizen. Gabonese people must feel the economic impact in their daily lives.»
Parallel to its push for large-scale mineral exploitation, the government is promoting a new policy of local raw material processing to create additional wealth and employment opportunities domestically.
