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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 News


Minerals Council South Africa CEO Mzila Mthenjane
Strong commodity prices in 2025 ensure modest growth backing for SA mining – Minerals Council
Updated 2 hours 23 minutes ago By: Sabrina Jardim

While the South African mining sector continues to navigate a period of profound international and domestic change, this year has reinforced both the resilience of the sector and the importance of... 


An image of a critical mineral ore
Critical minerals present new opportunities for increased manufacturing
16th October 2026

With the global race for critical minerals entering a new phase, the next opportunity will be turning resources into processing, manufacturing and long-term growth. In addition to critical mineral... 


Audit transfer points before expanding plants, advises Weba
Audit transfer points before expanding plants, advises Weba
14th October 2026

Before investing in larger equipment to increase plant throughput, Weba Chute Systems recommends that mines first evaluate whether inefficient transfer points are preventing existing assets from... 


An image of WMI director Professor Dr Pontsho Twala
WMI seminar explores challenges to sustainably grasping opportunity-rich mining future
14th October 2026 By: Tasneem Bulbulia

The Wits Mining Institute (WMI) held its annual industry seminar on October 8, titled “From legacy to leadership: shaping sustainable mining futures”. Industry leaders explored the key challenges... 


ARM says it will defend itself against legal challenge over Assmang
14th October 2026 By: Tasneem Bulbulia

JSE-listed African Rainbow Minerals (ARM) has informed its shareholders that it and Assore South Africa are involved in a legal dispute relating to, among others, ARM’s right to appoint senior... 


Critical Minerals Conference  Ferroalloys sector balancing geopolitics, tariffs, and the structural path to re-industrialisation
Critical Minerals Conference Ferroalloys sector balancing geopolitics, tariffs, and the structural path to re-industrialisation
9th October 2026

South Africa’s critical minerals sector faces a pivotal moment as energy tariff reforms, port efficiency gains, and global policy shifts intersect to shape the future of local beneficiation. The... 


Ferroalloys sector balancing geopolitics, tariffs, and the structural path to re-industrialisation
Ferroalloys sector balancing geopolitics, tariffs, and the structural path to re-industrialisation
9th October 2026

South Africa’s critical minerals sector faces a pivotal moment as energy tariff reforms, port efficiency gains, and global policy shifts intersect to shape the future of local beneficiation. The... 


Manganese symbol
Research, innovation key to unlocking greater critical minerals value, conference hears
2nd October 2026 By: Lumkile Nkomfe

Greater investment in research, innovation and collaboration by academia and industry is needed to unlock more value from Africa’s critical mineral resources, Stellenbosch University chemical... 


Photo of Martin Creamer
On-The-Air (02/10/2026)
2nd October 2026 By: Martin Creamer

Martin Creamer talks about drone upliftment, manganese through Namibia and Sibanye-Stillwater trading on the A2X  


Photo of Martin Creamer
Drone upliftment, manganese through Namibia, Sibanye-Stillwater trading on the A2X make headlines
2nd October 2026

Mining Weekly Editor Martin Creamer discusses the catalytic properties of platinum and palladium being researched and developed as a potential source of significant upliftment for drones; the 828... 


Manganese ore export activity.
South Africa risks leaving much manganese value unrealised if logistics issues persist
2nd October 2026 By: Martin Creamer

South Africa’s Manganese Producers Consortium (MPC), which represents producers that account for 60% of South Africa’s manganese ore exports, does not direct individual producers on the corridors... 


Manganese terminal at Gqeberha.
Phase 3’s test rail reform cannot afford to fail, says Manganese Producers Consortium
2nd October 2026 By: Martin Creamer

The third phase of the August 20-launched Government-Business Partnership for Growth and Jobs names freight logistics as a foundational enabler of growing the economy by 3%-plus and generating a... 


Mining Indaba logo
Africa's greatest mineral asset isn't underground
1st October 2026

The global race for critical minerals is entering a new phase. No longer defined solely by access to mineral reserves, it is increasingly being shaped by industrial policy, geopolitical... 


Manganese mines and ports.
South Africa’s Tshipi puts 828 000 t of manganese through Namibia’s Port of Lüderitz
30th September 2026 By: Martin Creamer

The plan-beating sale of manganese ore by Jupiter Mines in its financial year 2026 (FY26) included 828 000 t going through the Port of Lüderitz in Namibia, the ASX-listed company stated in its... 


Manganese chemical symbol
Black Canyon confirms Australia's next major greenfield manganese resource
30th September 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

ASX-listed Black Canyon has positioned the Wandanya deposit, in Western Australia, among the most significant recent greenfields manganese discoveries in the country with a maiden mineral resource... 


Port of Ngqura
South Africa's Transnet begins process to expand manganese export capacity
25th September 2026 By: Reuters

South Africa's State-owned logistics operator Transnet said on Friday it has started the process of picking a private sector partner to develop and operate a new manganese export terminal for 25... 


Transnet CEO Michelle Phillips speaking at the group's results presentation in Sandton
Transnet outlines ‘transact for value’ model for private-sector participation transactions
25th September 2026 By: Terence Creamer

Transnet CEO Michelle Phillips says the sale of a 49.99% interest in its largest container terminal last year to International Container Terminal Services had set the tone for the way in which the... 


ARM founder and chairperson Patrice Motsepe.
ARM’s Motsepe emphasises importance of honesty, integrity, governance, meritocracy
25th September 2026 By: Martin Creamer

The founder and chairperson of diversified mining company African Rainbow Minerals (ARM) on Friday, September emphasised the importance of companies behaving in a manner that reflects integrity,... 


Firebird schematic for a future commercial-scale manganese sulphate facility
Firebird prepares first feedstock for Australia's first demo-scale manganese processing plant
23rd September 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

ASX-listed Firebird Metals has provided the first feedstock for its demonstration-scale manganese testwork plant at the Osborne Park facility, in Western Australia, with the plant expected to be... 


Mixtec to Showcase Advanced Agitation Solutions for Battery Minerals and Solvent Extraction at Electra Mining Africa 2026
21st September 2026

At Electra Mining Africa 2026, Mixtec will demonstrate how intelligent agitation design is helping mineral processors improve recoveries, reduce energy consumption and optimise plant performance... 


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pqt: 0.168s - ct: 0.218s - 275pq - 2rq
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