The government of Burkina Faso is seeking a new partner for the development of the Tambao manganese mine after its partnership with Pan African Minerals Ltd. fell through, Bloomberg News reported Feb. 21, citing the country's mining minister.
Tambao is said to be the world's biggest manganese deposit, with estimated reserves of 100 million tonnes valued at US$1 billion, the report added.
Mining Minister Oumarou Idani attributed the failed partnership between Burkina Faso and Pan African Minerals to a "breakdown of confidence," saying the company "didn't respect their obligations."
Pan African Minerals Managing Director Souleymane Mihin declined to comment on the matter due to an ongoing court case. The company is seeking up to US$4 billion in damages from Burkina Faso after it was ordered to stop Tambao's production in 2015.
