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Manganese

Manganese is a hard, brittle, silvery-grey metallic element that is essential to iron and steel production and serves as a key alloying agent in metallurgy. It is the twelfth most abundant element in the Earth's crust and is never found as a free metal in nature, occurring instead in minerals such as pyrolusite, rhodochrosite and braunite. The metal is primarily extracted through mining of manganese ores, which are then processed into ferromanganese and silicomanganese alloys used in steelmaking to improve strength, toughness and resistance to wear. Approximately 90% of global manganese production is consumed by the steel industry, where it acts as a deoxidiser and desulphuriser, whilst the remaining 10% finds applications in batteries, fertilisers, pigments and chemical compounds. South Africa, Australia, Gabon and China are among the world's leading producers, with South Africa's Kalahari manganese field in the Northern Cape representing one of the largest known reserves. The element is also gaining strategic importance in the battery minerals sector, particularly for lithium-ion batteries used in electric vehicles, where manganese-rich cathode chemistries offer cost and safety advantages. Manganese dioxide is a critical component in alkaline batteries and is being explored for use in next-generation energy storage systems. The metal is typically graded by manganese content, with high-grade ores containing more than 44% manganese being preferred for metallurgical applications. Demand for manganese is closely tied to global steel production trends, infrastructure development and the energy transition, making it a commodity of enduring industrial and economic significance.

Manganese Updates


ECA Southern Africa regional director Eunice Kamwendo
UN ECA launches large-scale project to strengthen SADC critical minerals value chains
3rd June 2026 By: Lumkile Nkomfe

The UN Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) has launched a €15-million regional project to strengthen environmentally and socially responsible critical minerals value chains across the Southern... 


Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Parks Tau speaks at the launch of the EU investment roadshow
EU aims to use investor roadshow to convert €12bn pledge into South African projects
1st June 2026 By: Terence Creamer

The EU, which announced a €12-billion investment package for South Africa in October, is undertaking investment roadshows in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban this week as part of efforts to... 


The image depicts a ADT in a coal field
Rail allocation to enhance diversified miner’s access to market
29th May 2026 By: Lynne Davies

In advocating for reindustrialisation in South Africa and the creation of new jobs, diversified mining group Menar is expanding its portfolio of operations with the February 2026 addition of a... 


Representatives form the train operating companies hold up rail access certificates at a ceremony addressed by various Transnet executives, including CEO Michelle Phillips (seated in green).
Eleven private train operators gear up for mainline entry after concluding access agreements
29th May 2026 By: Terence Creamer

The 11 private train operating companies (TOCs), which were last year allocated slots on South Africa’s mainline rail network, have now officially concluded rail access agreements with the Transnet... 


Giyani's demo plant in Johannesburg
Giyani announces positive DFS results for Botswana manganese project
28th May 2026 By: Sabrina Jardim

TSX-V-listed Giyani Metals has reported positive definitive feasibility study (DFS) results for its 100%-owned K.Hill battery-grade manganese project in Botswana. Giyani notes that highlights from... 


The Grande Côte mineral sands operation
Eramet appoints CFO, partially restarts Senegal mineral sands processing after Feb fire
27th May 2026 By: Creamer Media Reporter

Diversified metals miner Eramet has appointed Simon Henochsberg to succeed Abel Martins as group CFO and has announced the partial restart of mineral sands processing at its Grande Côte operation,... 


Mintek mineral processing executive manager Dr Lawrence Bbosa
Forward-looking critical minerals strategy must drive African beneficiation
21st May 2026 By: Lumkile Nkomfe

South Africa’s Critical Minerals and Metals Strategy must become a practical roadmap for beneficiation, industrialisation and regional development, State-owned mineral research organisation Mintek... 


Menar Ports & Rail moves ahead with strategic Transnet partnership
Menar Ports & Rail moves ahead with strategic Transnet partnership
15th May 2026

Menar Ports & Rail (MPR) intends to invest in the critical resources needed to ensure it utilises its rail allocation through the Transnet Rail Infrastructure Manager (TRIM) initiative to add value... 


An image of Grant Mitchell
Junior mining, exploration critical to industry longevity
15th May 2026 By: Trent Roebeck

The junior mining and exploration sectors in South Africa provide a way forward to expand the country’s critical minerals discovery and producing capability, with various funding programmes to... 


An image of Fred Arendse
Further investment needed to lift sector
15th May 2026 By: Trent Roebeck

Because junior mining companies are the principal drivers of mineral exploration in South Africa, junior mining lobby association the Junior Mining Council (JMC) is calling for increased investment... 


Mining production up by 2.5% y/y, mineral sales rise by 30.2% y/y in March
Mining production up by 2.5% y/y, mineral sales rise by 30.2% y/y in March
14th May 2026 By: Sabrina Jardim

Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) reports that the country’s mining production increased by 2.5% year-on-year in March, with platinum group metals (PGMs), gold and manganese ore having made the... 


The Chvaletice project site
Study estimates robust returns from Czech manganese project
14th May 2026 By: Creamer Media Reporter

A preliminary economic assessment (PEA) of the development of TSX-V-listed Euro Manganese's Chvaletice project, in the Czech Republic, demonstrates the resilience of the project and the potential... 


Representatives form the train operating companies hold up rail access certificates at a ceremony addressed by various Transnet executives, including CEO Michelle Phillips (seated in green).
Eleven private train operators gear up for mainline entry after concluding access agreements
13th May 2026 By: Terence Creamer

The 11 private train operating companies (TOCs), which were last year allocated slots on South Africa’s mainline rail network, have now officially concluded rail access agreements with the Transnet... 


Photo of Martin Creamer
On-The-Air (08/05/2026)
8th May 2026 By: Martin Creamer

Martin Creamer talks about hydrogen’s growing role in energy storage, a new refuelling station at North-West University, and the need to lower manganese rail costs. 


An image of a mining operation
Strategic measures support Zambian mining evolution
8th May 2026

Supported by political will, robust legislation and increased investment, Zambia’s mining sector is experiencing significant growth, expanding its profile from a traditional mineral producer to... 


An image of MIASA executive secretary Vusi Mabena
Zambia resurgence signals regional growth opportunities
8th May 2026 By: Nadine Ramdass

The Zambian mining industry is resurgent and is on track to sustain double-digit growth in its production of copper, positioning the country to facilitate regional growth across Southern and East... 


Giyani's demo plant in South Africa
Giyani reports positive results from Phase 2 of Digital DNA programme
5th May 2026 By: Sabrina Jardim

TSX-V-listed Giyani Metals has reported that successful interim results for high-purity manganese oxide (HPMO) produced from its demonstration plant in, Johannesburg, South Africa, have been... 


Photo of Martin Creamer
South Africa’s manganese mines must not be denied competitive logistics
1st May 2026 By: Martin Creamer

Engineering News & Mining Weekly is repeatedly hearing that the countries that will shape the next phase of the global manganese ore market are making infrastructure decisions now and South Africa... 


The Hermosa project
South32 remains upbeat on Hermosa’s Taylor project, despite higher capex
30th April 2026 By: Sabrina Jardim

ASX-, LSE- and JSE-listed South32 has increased the estimated capital expenditure (capex) requirement for the Taylor zinc/lead/silver project – the first development at its larger Hermosa project,... 


DRC Mining Week 2026: Where Africa’s Mining Future Takes Shape
DRC Mining Week 2026: Where Africa’s Mining Future Takes Shape
28th April 2026

Few countries on earth hold the geological potential of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. From copper and cobalt to lithium, manganese, tin, and rare earths, the DRC is not only central to... 


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pqt: 0.322s - ct: 1.138s - 290pq - 2rq
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