Giyani Metals, headquartered in Canada and operating in Botswana, has successfully secured a $16 million funding package from South Africa’s Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) to advance its battery-grade manganese project in Botswana. Meanwhile, South Africa’s Manganese Metal Co (MMC) in Mpumalanga holds its breath, anticipating similar financial backing from IDC for its advanced battery manganese project in Mbombela, as reported by Mining Weekly.
According to a report by Mining Weekly, Giyani’s funding from IDC marks a significant milestone, being the cornerstone of its $26-million package for the K Hill high-pressure manganese sulphate monohydrate (HPMSM) project in Botswana. In contrast, MMC’s groundbreaking HPMSM project in Mbombela, South Africa, still awaits funding finalization after a year of negotiations with IDC.
The Botswana operation, with its demonstration plant nearing completion in Johannesburg, plans to construct a commercial-scale plant in Botswana.
In Mpumalanga, MMC has long been eager to kickstart a 5,000 t/y demonstration plant in Mbombela. Bernard Swanepoel, MMC chairperson, expressed optimism about the project’s potential to revolutionize South Africa’s presence in the global battery market, pending funding finalization.
Manganese, increasingly used in battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and energy storage for its technical and cost benefits, positions MMC, a producer of the world’s purest manganese metal, for significant growth in the BEV market. MMC’s commitment to sustainability is evident in its sourcing of 1.8 MW of clean hydropower for its energy needs.
MMC’s selenium-free electrolytic manganese metal (EMM) production accounts for 3% of global output, with the majority exported to Japan, the US, and Europe. The company’s shift towards HPMSM production aligns with market demand and environmental goals.
MMC’s contribution to South Africa’s economy is substantial, with R2.28 billion in export revenue, exports through Maputo and Durban ports, and R179 million in taxes paid in the last financial year.
The company, transitioning from a Samancor-BHP Billiton and Anglo-American operation to MM Holdings ownership, is considered an “industrial jewel” by Trade & Industrial Policy Strategies (TIPS) economist Gaylor Montmasson-Clair.
Simultaneously, Australia-listed Jupiter Mines, operating in South Africa, has produced a 99.9% pure HPMSM sample, spotlighting the potential for cost-efficient, safe electric vehicle batteries. Jupiter is now exploring the optimal location for its first plant and considering producing manganese concentrate in South Africa.
This development signals a significant shift in the manganese industry, as companies like Giyani Metals and MMC pivot towards the burgeoning battery market, promising a greener and more sustainable future.
