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Metal-to-crystal project, South Africa

Image of manganese sulphate in test tubes

17th January 2025

By: Sheila Barradas

Creamer Media Research Coordinator & Senior Deputy Editor

     

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Name of the Project
Metal-to-crystal (MTX) project.

Location
Mbombela, in Mpumalanga, South Africa.

Project Owner/s
Manganese Metals Co (MMC).

Project Description
The MTX plant is designed to address the immediate demand for high-purity manganese sulphate monohydrate (HPMSM). 

The plant will convert 2 000 t of MMC’s pure manganese metal into 6 000 t of HPMSM using renewable energy.

The MTX process leverages MMC’s existing high-purity electrolytic manganese metal (HPEMM) production and involves the dissolution of a portion of the company’s HPEMM output in sulphuric acid, followed by crystallisation.

The long-term strategy will focus on the more sustainable ore-to-crystal (OTX) process. 

This process will use manganese ore as the starting material and, through a combination of chemical and physical processes, remove impurities from the manganese ore to sustainably produce HPMSM crystals, offering a low-carbon footprint product to meet future market 
needs.

The OTX process will be built in a phased approach, starting with a 5 000 t/y plant. 

This will be followed by an estimated 30 000 t/y plant, targeted beyond 2030.

Potential Job Creation
Not stated.

Capital Expenditure
R150-million.

Planned Start/End Date
Construction of the MTX project started in September 2024 and the plant is targeted for production in 2026. The OTX project is targeted for 2028.

Latest Developments
None stated.

Key Contracts, Suppliers and Consultants
Not disclosed.

Contact Details for Project Information
Manganese Metals Co, tel +27 13 759 4600.
 

Edited by Martin Zhuwakinyu
Creamer Media Magazine Managing Editor

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