MOIL Set to Enter Gabon for Manganese Ore Mining; MoU Expected Soon.

State-owned MOIL (formerly Manganese Ore India Ltd.) is exploring international opportunities, with plans to enter into Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) for manganese ore exploration and mining in Gabon. Due diligence and discussions are also underway for similar projects in South Africa, according to a senior official familiar with the developments.

This potential venture would mark MOIL's first foray into overseas mining. A CPSE under the Ministry of Steel, MOIL is India’s largest producer of manganese ore, accounting for 50% of the country’s production.

“Due diligence in Gabon has been completed for high-grade manganese ore exploration. We aim to sign MoUs soon at the government-to-government level. These agreements will provide access for exploration, reserve estimation, feasibility studies, and eventually mining and processing activities,” the official said.

While investment specifics for overseas operations are yet to be finalized, MOIL’s Chairman and Managing Director, Ajit Kumar Saxena, has indicated the company’s intention to expand into regions such as Africa (Gabon and South Africa), Australia, and Latin America (Brazil) for manganese mining.

Gabon holds around 25% of the world’s manganese resources, while South Africa is home to the largest reserves globally. Australia is a significant manganese ore exporter. Manganese ore plays a critical role in steelmaking, enhancing strength, workability, and wear resistance.

MOIL had previously sent a team to Gabon in July 2018 to explore collaboration opportunities with local mining companies.

Domestic Expansion Plans

On the domestic front, MOIL is focusing on both brownfield and greenfield projects to enhance production.

In FY25 and FY26, the company has earmarked capital expenditures of ₹328 crore and ₹340 crore, respectively.

Key projects include:

• Gujarat: Mining in the Pani area.


• Chhattisgarh: Exploration in a 218-square-kilometer area in the Nilkanthpur block, Balrampur.


• Madhya Pradesh: Exploration in Jhabua, Jabalpur, and Balaghat, with completed assessments in Chhindwara.

MOIL currently operates 10 mines—six in Maharashtra's Nagpur and Bhandara districts and four in Madhya Pradesh's Balaghat district. In the first nine months of FY25, the company produced 1.33 million tonnes of manganese ore, up 4.5% year-on-year, with sales reaching 1.14 million tonnes, an increase of 4%.

MOIL’s international and domestic expansion initiatives reflect its strategic focus on strengthening its position in the global manganese ore market.

HBL