Gabon insists on 2029 manganese refining ban despite industry power warnings
Gabon's mining minister rejected claims that power shortages will delay a 2029 ban on raw manganese exports. He urged firms to adopt energy-saving technologies.
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The Gabon 
GA mining minister, Sosthene Nguema Nguema, has announced that the country’s ban on raw manganese exports set for 2029 is non-negotiable. Speaking during the Mining Indaba conference held in South Africa 
ZA, the minister stated that the Gabon government will not accept energy shortages as a justification for missing the deadline. This firm stance underscores the state's commitment to shifting the manganese sector from the exportation of raw ore to refined products.
GA mining minister, Sosthene Nguema Nguema, has announced that the country’s ban on raw manganese exports set for 2029 is non-negotiable. Speaking during the Mining Indaba conference held in South Africa ZA, the minister stated that the Gabon government will not accept energy shortages as a justification for missing the deadline. This firm stance underscores the state's commitment to shifting the manganese sector from the exportation of raw ore to refined products.Under the new requirements issued by the Gabon mining ministry , all miners must submit clear implementation timelines and demonstrate measurable progress toward local processing goals. Regulators have explicitly warned that companies failing to begin construction or production of the necessary infrastructure could face the revocation of their mining licences. This enforcement mechanism is designed to ensure that the transition to domestic value addition remains on track despite logistical or infrastructure challenges.
