Gabon+Minerals


 * China Is Highly Likely To Continue Mineral Investments In Gabon Over The Next Five Years Due To The Country’s Strong Pursuit Of Investors And China’s Current Involvement In Iron Ore Projects **

China is highly likely to continue mineral investments in Gabon over the next five years. This is due to the Gabonese government’s strong pursuit and openness of investors; especially in mining to diversify the economy. Gabon is mineral rich in manganese, iron, copper, gold, diamonds, bauxite, phosphate salts, magnesium and rare-earth metals. China National Machinery & Equipment Import & Export Corporation is currently involved in the mining sector; they have given USD 820 million for infrastructure projects that correspond with Gabon’s mining.
 * Executive Summary: **

In April 2012 Gabonese President Ali Bongo Ondimba stated that Gabon is open to investors and have many investment opportunities, particularly in the mining sector. This would be an attractive position to the Chinese because it would open them up to more of Gabon's minerals. The numerous mineral resources available include manganese, iron, copper, gold, diamond, bauxite, phosphate salts, magnesium and rare-earth metals. According to IHS Global Insight, it is estimated that Gabon contains about one quarter of the world's manganese reserves. The Gabonese Head of State has said that they have oil but it is not enough to support the country’s development and that diversifying, especially in the mining sector will help Gabon’s growth and are actively searching for growth partners. China, specifically China National Machinery & Equipment Import & Export Corporation is currently involved in the mining sector; they have given USD 820 million for infrastructure projects that correspond with Gabon’s mining investments. In April 2005 China National Machinery and Equipment Import/Export Company (CMEC) announced plans to manage an infrastructural investment in Belinga. Gabon's Belinga deposit is estimated at 4 billion tons with 1.5 billion tons of proven reserves. CMEC's investment would include the construction of 200 km of railway, a new deep water port and a hydroelectric dam at a cost of USD 816 million. CMEC signed an official 25 year agreement with the Gabonese government to carry out the project and it entails China to 90 percent of the wealth that the mine generated.
 * Discussion: **

** Analytic Confidence: **
Analytic confidence is high. Source reliability is high. There is no conflict between sources. The analyst had low expertise on the subject, worked alone while also collaborating with a group, and did not use a structured analytic method. The subject is moderately complex and the deadline was moderately easy to meet.


 * Analyst: ** James Gibson