Eramet-Gabon protocol: conditions for industrial projects raise concerns despite initial enthusiasm
via Gabon Review2 min read
A recent protocol signed between Gabon and the French mining group Eramet, following a ceremony at the Élysée, is being viewed with caution upon closer inspection. While initially perceived as a victory for Gabon, the agreement appears to offer Eramet considerable leeway. The protocol commits Gabon to providing electricity, whereas Eramet's commitments are primarily to study projects. None of the three proposed industrial projects are firm, with their implementation dependent on future investment decisions and subject to various conditions, including "formal final investment decision," "prior validation of technical, environmental, economic, and industrial conditions," and a "separate investment agreement." The flagship project, a 265,000-ton alloy plant announced for 2031, is explicitly conditional on securing energy and logistical conditions before any commitment. The agreement also grants Eramet autonomy in assessing project profitability, ensuring only "profitable industrial options" are pursued. This means that while the roadmap sets ambitions, the decision to realize them remains with Eramet's Parisian board at each stage. A critical aspect of the agreement is energy provision. The protocol acknowledges the fundamental importance of competitive energy access for industrial development in the manganese value chain, with Gabon agreeing to develop necessary energy solutions. Eramet and its subsidiary are exempt from investing in electricity production. Given the current st
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