Manono, Democratic Republic of the Congo

Manono lies on the western bank of the Lukushi, a tributary of the Luvua River. The town is a river port, with barges bringing cargo from Lubumbashi.[1] Manono is also connected to a disused railway line[1][2] to Muyumba[3]. Economic activity is centered on mining, with the surrounding area containing approximately 100 million tonnes of minerals, including spodumene (lithium), columbite, tin and tantalite.[1][4] The collapse of the world tin price in the 1980s severely hit the town's economy.[1] However, since 2017 exploration has been underway for lithium minerals and tin at the historical tin mine in the Manono - Kitotolo region with mining expected to commence in 2019 inclusive of hydrolelectric and road access upgrades...[5]

Manono has a tropical savanna climate (Köppen: Aw).

Manono was seriously affected by the Second Congo War (1998-2003), with many buildings destroyed. Rally for Congolese Democracy rebels and allied Rwandan soldiers took control of Manono in 1999.[7][8] A hydro-electric power plant used to provide electricity, however it was destroyed during the war. The town used to have a brewery which supplied the surrounding region, however it was destroyed during the war.[1]

The UN carried out arms decommissioning in 2008, offering to accept guns in exchange for a bicycle. The scheme was successful in removing weapons.[9] The town is served by the Manono Airport.[10] Manono has a cathedral which was built by Belgian missionaries, and was severely damaged during the war.[1]