JOHANNESBURG (miningweekly.com) – Diversified miner South32’s manganese production increased by 3% year-on-year to 5.5-million tonnes for the financial year ended June 30.
In a teleconference on Thursday, the company indicated that, with manganese as a primary resource, South32 would explore opportunities where it could invest in infrastructure improvements and upgrades at its operations, to improve the pace and maximise output – investment that could demonstrate a strong capital return for the company.
The company highlighted that this would include improvements in technology and automation, to remain on par with its competitors globally.
“Looking ahead, our portfolio will include industry leading positions in alumina and manganese and we will continue to embed development options with a bias to base metals that have the potential to deliver meaningful growth in shareholder value,” South32 CEO Graham Kerr said.
South32’s South African manganese business, which includes mines and an alloy smelter, is located in the manganese-rich Kalahari basin, in the Northern Cape.