The Ogooué Mining Company (Comilog), a subsidiary of the French Eramet Group, announced this Monday the resumption of sales operations for its manganese production in Moanda, after three (3) weeks of freezing. The resumption of said operations is planned for this Thursday, November 14 in the early hours, according to a communication made to the company’s employees by the Managing Director of Comilog, Léod Paul Batolo.
Despite the confirmation of the resumption of ore sales for the current months of November and next December, “the international economic dispute nevertheless remains fragile and caution is required”suggests the Managing Director (ADG) of Comilog.
On October 16, the ADG of Comilog announced in a previous communication, with effect from October 23, 2024 and for three (3) weeks, the suspension of manganese production and sale operations on Moanda, due to of the closure of the manganese market on a global scale, he revealed.
“The sharp drop in steel production in China has led to a reduction in purchases of manganese ore by Chinese producers, which has resulted in a sharp drop in prices, i.e. a price halved in just three months”Léod Paul Batolo then explained.
Comilog has already experienced shutdowns in its operations in recent years and is once again showing its agility and resilience in the face of the complex and uncertain world in which it operates. These uncertainties require it to continue to make progress in terms of safety, production and costs in order to strengthen its competitiveness and be able to withstand periods of crisis.
“Our behavior must allow us to strengthen our solidarity in order to protect our company together”urges the Managing Director of Comilog, probably addressing all of his collaborators, administrators, senior executives, actors and partners in the manganese production and sale chain in Moanda.
Manganese, Gabon’s second largest export product, representing nearly 11% of its global sales. The Ogooué Mining Company is the largest producer (extraction and processing) of manganese ore in Gabon and in the world.
The Ogooué Mining Company produced 7.4 million tonnes in 2023 for a global production of around 18.5 million tonnes each year. Its direct contribution to the Gabonese economy is 229.5 billion CFA francs during the same year.
Elliott Ana Wonder
*Source: Comilog
2024-11-11 22:47:00
#COMILOG #relaunches #sales #production
**Interview with Léod Paul Batolo, Managing Director of Comilog**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, Mr. Batolo. We’d like to talk about the recent developments at the Ogooué Mining Company and the resumption of manganese sales in Moanda. Could you start by explaining what led to the three-week suspension of operations?
**Batolo:** Thank you for having me. The suspension we experienced was primarily due to a significant downturn in the global manganese market. On October 16, we announced that we would halt production and sales due to a closure of this market. The sharp decline in steel production in China directly impacted the demand for manganese ore, as Chinese producers significantly reduced their purchases. This resulted in a 50% drop in prices over a short period.
**Editor:** That must have been challenging for the company. What changes or measures did Comilog take during the suspension to prepare for the resumption of operations?
**Batolo:** During the suspension, we focused on reassessing our operational strategies and preparing our workforce for a swift resumption once the market conditions improved. We also worked closely with our suppliers and clients to ensure that we can meet their needs quickly and efficiently as demand picks up.
**Editor:** As you mentioned, operations are set to resume on November 14. What precautions or strategies is Comilog implementing to navigate this fragile international economic landscape moving forward?
**Batolo:** We are proceeding with caution. While we are confident in the resumption of sales for November and December, we are overseeing our production levels closely and staying vigilant in monitoring market trends. Our goal is to remain flexible and responsive to any further changes in the global economy that could impact our operations.
**Editor:** Looking ahead, what do you see for the future of manganese production, particularly considering the trends in steel production in countries like China?
**Batolo:** The future of manganese production is intricately tied to the global steel market. If we see a recovery in steel production, particularly in major markets like China, we can anticipate a rebound in manganese demand. However, we must remain adaptable and prepared for potential fluctuations. Diversifying our markets and strengthening our relationships with traditional and new clients will be essential.
**Editor:** Thank you for your insights, Mr. Batolo. We appreciate your time and look forward to following Comilog’s progress in the coming months.
**Batolo:** Thank you for having me. It’s a pleasure to share the developments at Comilog with your audience.
