Mouanda

Gabon: manganese mine

Mouanda, also spelled Moanda, town, southeastern Gabon. Large manganese deposits were discovered near the town in 1938, and exploitation began in 1951; the reserves are estimated to be among the world’s largest. A consortium of American and French mining interests built a plant for producing manganese dioxides, as well as schools, roads, airfields, two hospitals, and several dispensaries, in the locality. The company also has facilities for training skilled workers, draftsmen, and chemists and promotes literacy classes. An influx of workers from neighbouring areas has caused the population of Mouanda to increase rapidly. Pop. (1993) 21,882.