GABON is to send 1200 tons of niobium to Finland for tests that the authorities hope will confirm the viability of mining the metal in the Central African country, officials said. A company called Societe Miniere de Mabounie has been set up to mine the metal, with Gabonese interests controlling 30% of the shares and a foreign consortium called Niobium Ressources having the rest. A shareholders’ meeting was held recently and approved an initial annual budget of 2,5-billion CFA francs ($3,9-million) to develop activities in Lambarene, southeast of the capital, Libreville, ministry officials said.