Oil is by far the Congo's most important resource. Natural gas reserves have yet to be exploited; the oil industry currently flares excess gas. Bauxite and iron ore reserves are not large enough to be profitably mined and phosphate production was abandoned in 1977. Chinese aid has helped build two hydroelectric dams, on the Bouenza and DjouΘ rivers. A third is currently being built on the LΘfini at Imboulou.
