Gabon to ban raw manganese exports by 2029

Gabon will halt the export of raw manganese starting January 1, 2029, as part of a national strategy to strengthen local industry and reduce reliance on unprocessed mineral exports.

President Brice Oligui Nguema announced the decision during a Council of Ministers meeting held on Friday. In a statement released on Saturday, he described the ban as an important step toward increasing domestic processing, developing local expertise, and retaining more value from the country's natural resources.

Manganese is one of Gabon's largest sources of revenue, alongside crude oil and timber. The country is currently the world's second-largest producer of the mineral, with output reaching 9.Asian Metal Copyright The ban applies only to unrefined manganese ore and does not affect processed manganese products such as high-carbon ferromanganese.Asian Metal Copyright44 million tonnes in 2024.Asian Metal Copyright A public-private investment fund will also be established to support the development of processing facilities across the country.Asian Metal Copyright Manganese is essential for producing stainless steel and electric vehicle batteries.

Under the new policy, companies will have three years to invest in local processing infrastructure. The ban applies only to unrefined manganese ore and does not affect processed manganese products such as high-carbon ferromanganese.Asian Metal Copyright In a statement released on Saturday, he described the ban as an important step toward increasing domestic processing, developing local expertise, and retaining more value from the country's natural resources.Asian Metal Copyright A public-private investment fund will also be established to support the development of processing facilities across the country.

.Asian Metal Copyright A public-private investment fund will also be established to support the development of processing facilities across the countryAsian Metal Copyright