Gabon and South Africa Sign New Mining Cooperation Deal
Gabon has signed a new geoscience collaboration agreement with South Africa, marking a significant step towards strengthening its mining sector and accelerating the sustainable development of its mineral resources.
The agreement brings together the Ministry of Mines and Geological Resources of Gabon and South Africa’s Council for Geoscience, with a focus on advancing geological research, building technical capacity and modernising Gabon’s geological data systems. It forms part of Gabon’s broader strategy to diversify its economy and unlock the full potential of its mining industry.
Although Gabon is best known as an oil-producing country, it holds substantial untapped reserves of iron ore, manganese, gold and other strategic minerals. Through the partnership with one of Africa’s leading geoscience institutions, Gabon aims to improve its understanding of these resources and strengthen the institutional foundations required for responsible and commercially viable mining.
At the heart of the agreement is a commitment to undertake comprehensive geological assessments across the country. Experts from the Council for Geoscience will work alongside Gabonese specialists to analyse existing data, carry out new surveys where needed and produce updated mineral resource maps. These efforts are expected to provide a clearer picture of Gabon’s mineral endowment and support more effective planning and resource development.
The agreement was signed in Cape Town by Alain Manzanza, Director General of Geology at Gabon’s Ministry of Mines, and Mosa Mabuza, Chief Executive Officer of South Africa’s Council for Geoscience. The signing took place in the presence of Gabon’s Minister of Mines and Geological Resources, Sosthene Nguema Nguema, and Gabon’s Ambassador to South Africa, Rod Rembendambya.
Capacity building is another key component of the partnership. The agreement предусматри provisions for training programmes, technical exchanges and joint research initiatives aimed at strengthening the skills of Gabonese mining professionals. Through workshops, internships and collaborative projects, geologists and engineers from Gabon will gain exposure to advanced exploration techniques and international best practice in mineral resource management.
Minister Nguema Nguema said the partnership also seeks to deepen economic ties between Gabon and South Africa by encouraging South African mining companies to explore investment opportunities in Gabon. He noted that improved geological transparency and stronger regulatory capacity would help position Gabon as a more attractive destination for mining investment.
Environmental protection and technological advancement are also central to the collaboration. Both parties have committed to sharing expertise on modern mining technologies and environmental standards, including responsible mining practices, improved environmental monitoring and the integration of sustainability considerations into project planning. These measures reflect growing global emphasis on environmental, social and governance standards.
The agreement aligns with wider regional efforts to promote intra-African cooperation in the extractive industries. By drawing on South Africa’s long-standing experience in mining and geoscience, Gabon is seeking to harness African expertise to build a more competitive and resilient mining sector.
“This is a timely initiative in line with the directives of our Head of State, President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, who has pledged to increase the contribution of the mining sector to the national economy,” Minister Nguema Nguema said. “We must work in collaboration with advanced mining economies such as South Africa to achieve this goal.”
With global demand for minerals rising, driven in part by the energy transition and the growth of renewable technologies, Gabon’s improved geological data and technical capacity are expected to enhance its ability to participate in emerging markets.
Joint working groups from both institutions are set to develop a detailed implementation roadmap in the coming months, focusing on data integration, training schedules and priority areas for geological surveys.
