Gabon’s ambitious drive to boost mining’s share of national GDP to over 30% by the mid-2030s will come under the spotlight at African Mining Week (AMW) 2025, as industry stakeholders convene in Cape Town from 1–3 October. The country’s recently reformed Mining Code – a cornerstone of its strategy to attract international investment – will be a key focus during the three-day summit.
Designed to create a more investor-friendly environment, Gabon’s Mining Code offers several attractive incentives. These include tax holidays lasting between three and eight years and competitive royalties on base metals set at just 3–5%. Such measures aim to enhance investor confidence and position Gabon as a compelling destination for mineral sector growth.
A panel titled Navigating Gabon’s Mining Code: A Guide for Investors will delve into how the policy is shaping the future of Gabon’s mining industry. As Africa’s premier mining gathering, AMW 2025 will bring together investors, government officials, and private sector leaders to explore the code’s potential in unlocking the country’s vast mineral resources.
Gabon, already the world’s third-largest manganese producer, is leveraging the code to strengthen its global mining footprint. French mining giant Eramet, which operates the Moanda Mines, has secured a manganese supply deal with Australia’s Firebird Metals to support electric vehicle battery production in China. India’s state-run MOIL is also in discussions to develop manganese assets in Gabon – a sign of growing international interest in the country’s resources.
Gabon is also diversifying beyond manganese. Canadian firm Millennial Potash Corp is pushing ahead with the Banio Potash Project, which confirmed high-grade potash deposits in May 2025. Once operational, it will become Gabon’s first commercial potash facility, serving a global market increasingly reliant on potash for fertiliser and pharmaceutical use.
Iron ore is another key area of development. Through partnerships with Australia’s Genmin and China’s Sinohydro, Gabon is advancing the Baniaka Iron Ore Project, aiming to produce five million tonnes annually at first, with a long-term target of ten million tonnes. Meanwhile, Australia’s Fortescue is expanding operations at the Belinga iron ore project, and South Africa’s Menar has signed agreements to invest in the country’s growing iron ore sector – moves attributed to the favourable terms introduced under the Mining Code.
As these developments gain momentum, African Mining Week 2025 will provide a platform for high-level dialogue, showcasing Gabon’s evolving mining landscape and highlighting opportunities for responsible, high-return investment in Africa’s mineral future.
