During a meeting with the Minister of Mines, Gilles Nembe, the Collective of Quarry Operators, represented by Vanessa Ngabama, advocated for the creation of a special status for Gabonese operators. The minister promised to accelerate the issuing of permits and to establish a legal framework to structure the sector.
On October 18, 2024, the Collective of Quarry Operators, led by its president Vanessa Ngabama, was received by the Minister of Mines, Gilles Nembe, to discuss the working conditions of Gabonese operators in the mining quarry sector. This meeting followed a first meeting held in July.
Vanessa Ngabama presented to the Minister the difficulties encountered by operators in obtaining and renewing operating permits. She advocated for the establishment of a specific legal framework, the ” Special Status of Gabonese Quarry Operators “, in order to further structure and protect the activity of national operators. The Collective also requested the support of the Ministry to facilitate access to the necessary equipment and financing.
In response, the government member expressed his support and assured that the deadlines for issuing permits would be reduced. Gilles Nembe also agreed to create a working group responsible for developing a legal framework for this sector, with a view to improving the integration of Gabonese people in this strategic sector, we learned.
Both parties committed to exploring financing solutions to help operators acquire adequate equipment. This second meeting, held four months after the first, was welcomed by the members of the Collective, who expressed their satisfaction with this progress.
