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u Gabon, France no longer has the upper hand on manganese
ECONOMY - BY ROGER quiet - Posted on 22 Jul, 2014
Long Comilog, a subsidiary of French group Eramet, was the only company extracting manganese in Gabon, the second largest producer of iron ore. Australian and Chinese companies are now entering this attractive market. The situation has changed: the State intends to make the most of this wealth and workers wishing to make their voices heard.
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Photo credit: Copyright D.R.
A low, heavy sky weighs in on this year 2012 Moanda While Mining Company Ogowe (COMILOG), a subsidiary of French group Eramet, celebrates the 50th anniversary of its activity, manganese experiencing a slump in markets international. The price of ore has fallen sharply, and to top it off, the ore port Owendo site boarding near Libreville, suffered a serious technical problem. Besides the cost of repairs (40 million euros), extraction is interrupted for more than a month. Result, production reached 3,000,000 tons, down 400,000 tons from 2011 With the announcement of the results in 2012, officials have little mood champagne. "The results of the first half of 2012 amounted to 59.03 billion CFA francs, against 152.16 billion during the same period in 2011," the statement said.
Gabon, the second largest producer
With 3.7 million tonnes produced in 2011, and probably four million this year, Gabon is the second largest producer of manganese. Its reserves are estimated at 200,000 million tonnes. A high-grade ore (about 50%) and involved mostly to 4% of GDP generated by the mining sector. Since 1962, Comilog control over the activity. No competitor or so, it is the second Gabonese company and one of the largest private employers, with 1,492 employees.
But the picture is not without shadows. The activity of the company is regularly criticized for its environmental impact and its health implications. Collective population, several NGOs and a local MP, John Valentin Leyama have repeatedly lambasted "the contrast [...] Invalid between prosperity driven by the operating company and the conditions of workers COMILOG, the stricken state of the city and the lives of people. "Nobody is surprised Comilog discuss its new social responsibility and environmental concern ... especially as the head of state, Ali Bongo Ondimba, has repeatedly emphasized "the need to take account of the responsibility social ".
In 2013, the COMILOG seems to smile again. In the first nine months, the mining group recorded 4% increase in its turnover. Its executive director, Jean Favre, provides 4 million tonnes by 2014 is also readily evokes the construction of the steel complex Moanda. The first plant is expected to produce 20,000 tonnes of manganese metal per year, for the steel and aluminum industry. The second 65,000 tonnes of silico-manganese, mainly for the steel industry. Finally, management says "a clear desire to improve the conditions of life and work of our employees." Various bonuses, home ownership, management and employees of the right holders in the fight against HIV. The tone has changed!
Finished selling off!
Especially the cake is no longer the sole property of Eramet. Already in 2010, the Industrial and Commercial Mining Company Huazhou (China) signed an agreement for the operation and marketing of manganese M'Bembelé. Reserves are estimated at over 26 million tonnes, and operation at full capacity is expected to last twenty-five years at a rate of 1.04 million tonnes annually. The Chinese company expects a turnover of 48 billion CFA francs and annual profits of between 6 and 8 billion.
Other arriving in the area, and not least, the Anglo-Australian BHP Billiton, one of the largest mining multinationals, leading explorations outbreaks since 2006 in the area of Franceville (Haut-Ogowe). The latter deposit is estimated at 60 million tonnes. What amply justify the 24 million euros needed for this research. These two projects will bring to the State are not negligible. For M'Bembelé site, an estimated annual income tax to 2 billion francs CFA, a proportional mining royalty (RMP) 385 million and exit fees of $ 293 million. Both farms also have to generate hundreds of jobs. The Minister of Mines, Julien Nkoghé Békalé had also been very attentive to this aspect. Sixty-five percent of the positions will be held by Gabonese. Lawyer specializing in mining issues, Thierry Lauriol pointed out in 2012: "The authorities are pragmatic. This is to start operations quickly, but not carelessly. Through its new mining code, the country wants to lift the administrative burden while ensuring respect for the environment and taking large equity companies. "Today, the Gabonese government weighs 35% stake in the COMILOG. Manganese will not be sold off!
Manganese elsewhere in Africa
Although Gabon alone accounts for a quarter of global reserves, other countries show ambition. The Burkina Faso in particular has signed a new partnership with the American Pan African Minerals to mine the deposit Tambao. An agreement in which the state expects a lot. In addition to the income-related ore, construction of a railway line between Ouagadougou and Kaya, but also a stretch until Tambao and asphalting of the road-Dori Tambao. Another highly anticipated project, in South Africa this time, the Kalagadi Manganese. The mine is in operation, but it will optimize its production to bring it to 2.3 million tonnes. A sinter plant and smelter should be built. This time it is the African Development Bank (AfDB), which supports the project to the tune of $ 202 million. In northern Togo, Ferrex has been working hard on the deposit Nageya. Reserves are estimated at 11 million tonnes. Ore concentrate production is expected to reach 250,000 tons per year, for an initial investment of $ 15 million. Finally, we recall the Otjo Project in Namibia. These are the Shaw River Manganese Australians who hold 100% of the deposit 17 million tonnes. The acquisition of the bottom 10% cost them 950,000 Australian dollars. But the quality of the ore (23.3%) and ease of extraction were well worth the effort. The company is not new to the industry since it occurs also in Ghana and Australia. _
TAGS: Ali Bongo Ondimba COMILOG ERAMET BHP BILLITON MANGANÈSE
PUBLISHED BY ROGER calm
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