Gabon is a major petroleum producer, with crude oil accounting for 80% of Gabon’s exports as well as two thirds of the state’s revenue. Gabon is the world’s second largest manganese dioxide producer, and also has the potential to produce up to 15% of global niobium from a developing mine near Mabounie. Gabon also produces minor gold, uranium and diamonds. Uranium production has all but ceased in Gabon, due to ore reserve depletion.

All useful mineral substances occurring under the surface are the property of the State. A new Mining Code was enacted in July 2000, under which exclusive rights are granted by the Ministry of Mines, Energy and Petroleum. There are four types of mining permit:

i) Prospecting, for regional reconnaissance, valid for two years.

ii) Exploration, for mining exploration and evaluation. A licence with concession is valid for three years and is renewable for two further periods of three years. Without a concession, the licence is valid for two years, renewable for one period of two years.

iii) Mining (with concession) for mineral extraction, renewable as many times as required.

iv) Mining (without a concession) for extraction of construction materials and related minerals.

Exclusive rights are granted by the Ministry of Mines, Energy and Petroleum, as follows:

Four Categories are relevant under this heading:

1. Mining rights: they include (1) a fixed fee, (2) a surface occupation fee, and (3) a value-added tax that varies between 0.5% and 5% per year;
2. Fiscal charges: they are small and their amount varies according to the permit type (exploration or mining) and, for the mining phase, to the stage of operation (investment or production);
3. Corporate tax: it amounts to 35% after special exemptions (e.g. accelerated depreciation).
4. Import duties: they do not apply during the exploration and investment phases and exclude all consumables used during processing. There is no export tax.

Cluff Mining plc, Cogemat Inc., Comagnie des Mines d'Uranium de Franceville, Compagnie des Mines d'uranium de Franceville, Compagnie Miniere de l'Ogooue, Compagnie Miniere de l’Ogooue SA, Compagnie Miniere Trois Rivieres, Comuf, Geoscan, Lafayette Mining Ltd (Gabon), Ministere des Mines, de l' Energie, Searchgold Resources Inc., Soc Gabonaise de Sondages Minieres, SouthernEra Diamonds Inc. :[ Add More ]

Bakoudou, Belinga, Mabounie, Mikouloungou, Moanda, Mounana, Okla, Oklo Mine