Gabon has unveiled plans for a $2 billion critical minerals development project involving Emirati and Chinese partners, as the Central African country intensifies efforts to diversify its economy and unlock the commercial potential of its largely untapped mineral resources.
The project will focus on extracting and processing rare earth elements and niobium from the Mabounié mineral deposit, located southeast of the country’s capital, Libreville.
Abu Dhabi-based mining company New Energy Metals is leading the development, with engineering support from Beijing-based ENFI.
According to information from the Gabonese presidency, construction is expected to commence in 2027, potentially paving the way for the long-delayed mineral deposit to enter commercial production.
The project is expected to strengthen Gabon’s position in the global critical minerals supply chain, particularly as demand increases for materials used in advanced manufacturing, clean energy technologies and industrial applications.
Rare earth elements are essential components in several modern technologies, including electric vehicle motors, wind turbines, electronics and advanced defence systems.
Niobium, on the other hand, is an important industrial metal used to improve the strength and performance of steel, with applications in construction, transportation and specialised engineering.
The proposed investment reflects growing international competition for critical minerals as countries and major industrial companies seek to secure reliable supplies of materials required for energy transition technologies and advanced manufacturing.
For Gabon, the development represents an opportunity to expand its mining industry beyond established mineral exports and increase the contribution of value-added processing to the national economy.
The involvement of Emirati and Chinese partners also highlights the growing role of international capital and technical expertise in developing Africa’s mineral resources.
However, the project’s long-term economic impact will depend on timely construction, commercial viability, environmental management and the extent to which processing activities generate domestic employment and industrial opportunities.
If successfully implemented, the Mabounié development could become an important component of Gabon’s economic diversification strategy and strengthen its participation in the expanding global critical minerals industry.
