Gabon: the country wants to make mining a driver of its economy

Seven months after his appointment to the Ministry of Mines, Sosthène Nguema Nguema states that the sector is experiencing a resurgence of activity. According to him, a program plans to open about eight mines between 2026 and 2030, primarily for iron, but also for gold and potash.

Among the projects mentioned are the Milingui, Baniaka, and Mébaga mines for iron, as well as those in Etéké for gold and potash. The M’Bilan project, also focused on iron, is also part of the operations envisioned by the authorities.

The government hopes that these openings will create thousands of jobs and accelerate sector growth. The minister believes that its contribution to the economy, currently estimated at around 6%, could reach 15 to 20% in the coming years.

Infrastructure at the Heart of the Issues

However, achieving these ambitions will depend on the country’s ability to strengthen its infrastructure, says economist Orphée Mouelé, trained at Omar Bongo University. He notably cites the construction and modernization of roads, railways, ports, and bridges necessary for the transport of minerals.

Access to energy also constitutes a major challenge for future mining sites. Sufficient electricity production will be essential for the functioning of the operations and the development of industrial activities around raw materials.

The NGO Ethics and Good Governance welcomes the opportunities offered by the sector, while calling for concrete benefits for the population. Its president, Edmiaune Zouga, hopes that mining revenues directly improve the living conditions of Gabonese people and benefit the largest number.

Alongside the acceleration of extraction, the authorities want to develop local processing of minerals. This strategy aims to retain more added value in the country, stimulate employment, and reduce Gabon’s dependence on exports of raw materials.