Manganese Mining in Gabon

The development of Gabon's manganese deposits is expected to diversify the Republic's export products and provide an important new source of foreign exchange, increasing the value of Gabon's exports by perhaps as much as the equivalent of $16 million annually. A ready market for the ore is assured, since manganese is an essential ingredient in the production of steel. The deposits will be developed by the Compangine Miniere de I'Ogoue (Comilog), assisted by a loan from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (World Bank). The loan will help finance equipment and services for mining operations, a 45-mile cableway and a 180-mile railway connection to transport the ore to the Atlantic Ocean port of Pointe Noire in the Congo (Brazzaville).

A mining scene at Moanda.

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