2023-05-06 15:43:00
(Agence Ecofin) – New permits were also awarded in 2022. Gabon now wants to give pride of place to local processing, and might soon ban exports of gold in raw form.
Between 2017 and 2021, the Gabonese Ministry of Mines granted 21 gold exploration permits to mining operators, informs the latest EITI report (Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative). These permits were granted to 15 operators over a cumulative area of 17,608.29 km², in various localities of the country.
Among the beneficiaries, Global Mine Development obtained 3 permits in Kango, Mitzic and Ekata in 2021, while Salor obtained 2 in Ovan-Ntsenkélé and Koumameyong-Ekarlong in Ogooué Ivindo. The same year, A+ Mining obtained 1 in the locality of Mitzig Nord in Woleu Ntem.
Yinhe Mining obtained 3 permits in Obiga, Kouyé and Lessoka in Ogooué Ivindo in 2020, the year in which Alpha Century Mining also obtained 1 in Mboumi in Moyen Ogooué. In 2017, Agil Gabon won 1 permit in Onoye in Ngounié.
The New Gabon note that between 2017 and 2021, Gabonese gold exports have grown steadily. In 2021, the country exported 8.4 billion FCFA of raw gold, once morest 1.6 billion FCFA in 2020 and 1.4 billion FCFA in 2017.
The authorities plan to ban the export of raw or unrefined gold, in order to favor local processing, which is more beneficial for the national economy. According to data from the Société équatoriale des mines (SEM), gold production in Gabon is 2 tonnes per year.
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