Gabon is developing a $2 billion mining project with Emirati and Chinese partners to extract and process rare earth elements and niobium, a metal used to strengthen steel. The investment is expected to bring the long-delayed Mabounié mineral deposit, located southeast of the capital, Libreville, into production, opening a new chapter in the country’s efforts to develop its largely untapped mineral resources. Abu Dhabi-based mining company New Energy Metals is leading the development, with engineering support from Beijing-based ENFI. Construction is expected to begin in 2027, according to the Gabonese presidency. The development comes amid growing international competition for critical minerals used in clean energy technologies and advanced industries.