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Moanda Manganese Mine

Plizio editorial teamUpdated: Jun 2026Data Sources

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The Moanda Manganese Mine, located in the Haut-Ogooué province of southeastern Gabon, is one of the world's largest and most significant manganese extraction sites. Since mining operations began in 1962 under the management of the Compagnie Minière de l'Ogooué (COMILOG), the mine has played a central role in Gabon's national economy. The ore extracted here is renowned for its high quality and purity, making Gabon one of the leading global exporters of this essential mineral. The deposits are situated on the Bangombé Plateau and are primarily accessed through large-scale open-pit mining techniques. To facilitate the transport of millions of tons of ore annually, the mine is directly connected to the Trans-Gabon Railway, which carries the minerals to the deep-water port of Owendo. The city of Moanda has grown from a small settlement into a major regional economic center due to the mining industry. The mine provides thousands of jobs and contributes substantially to the country's GDP, with ongoing investments aimed at increasing production capacity. As manganese is an indispensable component in steel manufacturing and battery production, the Moanda mine holds immense global strategic importance.

Location: Gabon
Top sights: Lemboumbi-Leyou (department) · Moanda, Gabon · Stade Henri Sylvoz
Nearby: Mounana (15 km)

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Avg °C	25	25	25	25	25	24	24	25	24	24	24	24
Rain mm	144	153	212	213	179	44	13	30	125	280	311	206

📋 Practical info

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Visiting

The Moanda Manganese Mine in Gabon is one of the largest manganese mines in the world and an industrial landmark. The site is not usually open to the public, but the view from outside is impressive.

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Typical hours

There are no public visiting hours. Contacting the operator (Comilog) might allow a special tour in exceptional cases.

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Photography

Photography from public roads is allowed, but entering the mine site is prohibited. The huge extraction terraces offer impressive photo subjects.

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Time needed

Viewing from outside takes about 20-30 minutes. If you explore the town of Moanda and surroundings, allow an hour.

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Combine with

Combine the visit with the nearby town of Moanda, which has a market and colonial architecture. The Lékoni River is also worth a detour.

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Getting there

Moanda is in Haut-Ogooué province, reachable by car via national road N3 from Franceville. The drive from Franceville takes about 1 hour.

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Insider tip

Stop at one of the viewpoints along the road to photograph the giant extraction terraces. Ask in Moanda about guided tours - they are sometimes available.

Geography

Coordinates

-1.57000, 13.21000

Facts

Mining operations at the Moanda site were officially launched in 1962.
Gabon ranks as the world's second-largest exporter of manganese thanks to this mine.
The ore from Moanda is famous for its high manganese content, often exceeding 45%.
The site is operated by COMILOG, a joint venture involving the Gabonese state and Eramet.
The Bangombé Plateau hosts the primary open-cast mining activities for the project.
The mine produces over 5 million tons of high-grade manganese concentrate per year.

Explore nearby

Notable places around

Moanda1 km · SExplore →

Mounana15 km · SEExplore →

Mounana Uranium Mining Complex18 km · EExplore →

Biniomi Manganese Mine32 km · NExplore →

Bakoumba Primate Center34 km · SWExplore →

Dienga35 km · NWExplore →

Bakoumba37 km · SWExplore →

Memorial of Omar Bongo42 km · NExplore →

Route planner — Car & Motorhome

Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.

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Overnight stops

Vehicle

Only stops with (optional): 💧 Water ♻️ Disposal 🔌 Power 🚻 Toilets 🚿 Shower

Sights in the town Moanda Manganese Mine (3)

Lemboumbi-Leyou (department)📍 landmark

Lemboumbi-Leyou is a department in Gabon, known for its administrative role and surrounding landscape.

Moanda, Gabon📍 landmark

Moanda is a town in Gabon, famous for manganese mining and serving as a regional economic hub.

Stade Henri Sylvoz📍 landmark

Stade Henri Sylvoz is a football stadium in Moanda, used for local matches and events.

Sights nearby

Frequently asked questions

Can you visit the mine?

Visits are only possible with prior appointment and permission from the COMILOG mining company.

Why is this mine so important?

Moanda is one of the largest manganese deposits in the world and crucial for Gabon's economy.

How is the manganese transported?

It is transported via the Transgabonais railway directly to the port of Owendo.

Is there a visitor center?

There is no official visitor center, but information is often available through the COMILOG offices in Moanda.

What should one see nearby?

The nearby Mount Bangombé gives an impressive view of the open-pit mining operations.

Moanda Manganese Mine: where is it located?

Moanda Manganese Mine is located in Gabon.

Moanda Manganese Mine: what is there to see?

Highlights include Lemboumbi-Leyou (department), Moanda, Gabon, Stade Henri Sylvoz.

Moanda Manganese Mine: when is the best time to visit?

The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Aug.

Moanda Manganese Mine: why is it worth visiting?

The Moanda Manganese Mine, located in the Haut-Ogooué province of southeastern Gabon, is one of the world's largest and most significant manganese extraction sites.

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