The government of Gabon announced plans Wednesday to acquire a stake in the French mining group Eramet [1].
This move represents a strategic shift for the nation as it seeks to gain more direct control over its natural resources. By securing ownership in Eramet, Gabon aims to capture a larger share of the revenues generated from its own mineral wealth [1].
Eramet operates in the country through its subsidiary, Comilog. This subsidiary is responsible for extracting manganese in the Moanda region, located in eastern Gabon [1]. Manganese is a critical component in steel production and battery technology, making the Moanda operations central to the company's international portfolio [2].
The Gabonese government intends to use this acquisition to ensure that the lucrative manganese resources benefit the national economy more directly [1]. The move signals a desire to move beyond simple royalty or tax agreements and instead enter the equity structure of the firms operating within its borders [2].
Officials said they did not specify the exact percentage of the stake they intend to purchase or the total financial investment required for the deal [1]. However, the announcement confirms the government's intent to integrate more closely with the international mining company that manages its primary manganese assets [2].
“Gabon announced plans to acquire a stake in the French mining group Eramet”
This acquisition attempt reflects a growing trend of resource nationalism in Africa, where governments seek equity stakes in foreign-owned extractive industries to ensure a higher percentage of profits remain within the host country. By targeting Eramet, Gabon is attempting to transition from a passive recipient of mining taxes to an active shareholder in the global manganese supply chain.
