LIBREVILLE, Nov 9 – Gabon is seeking to revive its long-stalled Mabounié niobium and rare-earth project through a proposed $2 billion development involving Emirati-backed New Energy Metals (NEM) and Chinese engineering group ENFI, as the government seeks to expand domestic mineral processing and attract foreign investment into its mining sector.
New Energy Metals and its subsidiary, Dusk Gabon, presented a technical study for the project to President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema during his visit to Beijing last week, according to a statement published on the Gabonese presidency’s Facebook page.
The proposed development is expected to create more than 2,500 direct jobs and include mineral processing facilities within Gabon. The planned facilities are intended to enable the country to capture a greater share of the value generated from its mineral resources rather than relying primarily on exports of unprocessed materials.
Construction is scheduled to begin in 2027. However, details of the financing arrangements, project structure and respective responsibilities of NEM and ENFI have not been disclosed.
Located approximately 200 kilometres southeast of Libreville, Gabon’s capital, Mabounié has been explored for several years but has yet to reach commercial production. Its proposed revival would represent a significant step in efforts to develop the country’s mineral resources into a larger source of industrial activity, employment and economic growth.
Gabon seeks foreign investment in mining and infrastructure
The proposed investment comes as Libreville seeks international financing and technical partnerships for major infrastructure and industrial developments.
In June, Gabon signed a $3.8 billion memorandum of understanding with the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) to support national development initiatives across mining, energy and transport.
The government has also intensified engagement with China. During Nguema’s recent visit to Beijing, Gabon and China agreed to deepen cooperation in mining, security, trade, education and public health following his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Mining featured prominently in the renewed bilateral partnership, with Beijing pledging support for Gabon’s efforts to translate its natural resource endowment into broader economic development.
The proposed Mabounié project brings together Emirati-backed investment and Chinese engineering expertise in an effort to advance one of Gabon’s long-delayed mineral developments.
If implemented, the project could expand Gabon’s position in the supply chains for niobium and rare earth elements, minerals used in various industrial and advanced technology applications. However, its commercial prospects will depend on the final investment structure, construction execution and the development of domestic processing capacity.
