Gabon and CITIC Dameng will mine 26 million tons of manganese from their M’Bembele mine over the next 25 years at a cost of CFA 40 billion. Gabon is looking to increase its output of manganese, a metal used in stainless steel and aluminium alloys, as part of a push to diversify its economy away from dependence on oil. Production will start at 800,000tns/yr and peak at 1 million tns/yr for 25 years. Gabon’s manganese output fell to 2.2 million tons in 2009 due to a decrease in demand. While mining accounts for a small percentage of Gabon’s economy, they are trying to boost the sector as the country’s oil reserves are dwindling down.
