Gabon reclaims dozens of mining permits for regulatory violations

Gabon’s Ministry of Mines and Geological Resources announced on October 19, 2026, that it had reclaimed dozens of mining permits following an audit conducted from June 29 to October 16. The commission found that several permit holders had failed to meet legal and regulatory requirements; the permits span eight of the country’s nine provinces and include those held by Abice Mining Gabon, Gabon Gold Mining, SMO and Agil Gabon. President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema had called for a full audit of the gold sector in October 2025, and the ministry warned that offenders could face legal proceedings. The announcement did not specify the violations attributed to each company.