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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


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... 


Photo of Martin Creamer
On-The-Air (18/09/2026)
18th September 2026 By: Martin Creamer

Martin Creamer talks about developments in ammonia, platinum and manganese. 


Developments in ammonia, platinum and manganese make headlines
Developments in ammonia, platinum and manganese make headlines
18th September 2026

Mining Weekly Editor Martin Creamer discusses the developments surrounding South Africa’s $5.8-billion green hydrogen ammonia project; the Mogalakwena mine which has 300-year-plus resource life;... 


Mining Indaba logo
Africa's greatest mineral asset isn't underground
17th September 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 terminal at Gqeberha.
Phase 3’s test rail reform cannot afford to fail, says Manganese Producers Consortium
14th September 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... 


Brad Rogers
Jupiter appoints interim CEO as MD Rogers steps down
11th September 2026 By: Sabrina Jardim

ASX-listed Jupiter Mines, which owns a majority interest in Tshipi é Ntle Manganese Mining, in South Africa, has appointed Matthew Jarvis interim CEO, with immediate effect, following the... 


Transnet CEO Michelle Phillips speaking at the group's results presentation in Sandton
Transnet outlines ‘transact for value’ model for private sector participation transactions
10th 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... 


Kumba iron-ore's Sishen mine
South Africa's mining production decreases by 7.5% y/y in July
10th September 2026 By: Creamer Media Reporter

South Africa's mining production decreased by 7.5% year-on-year in July, with the largest negative contributors being the platinum group metals (PGMs), coal and iron-ore sectors, Statistics South... 


ARM founder and chairperson Patrice Motsepe.
ARM’s Motsepe emphasises importance of honesty, integrity, governance, meritocracy
4th 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,... 


An image of Exxaro CEO Ben Magara
Exxaro to sell Moranbah South project to Stanmore
4th September 2026 By: Tasneem Bulbulia

Mining and renewable-energy company Exxaro Resources has agreed to dispose of its 100% interest in the Moranbah South project, in Australia, to Stanmore Resources for $105-million, once Exxaro... 


ARM CEO Phillip Tobias.
ARM headline earnings up 19%, dividend declared
4th September 2026 By: Martin Creamer

The headline earnings of diversified mining company African Rainbow Minerals (ARM) increased by 19% to R3 201-million in the financial year ended June 30 on mainly higher dollar platinum group... 


The Manganese Metal Company
Nersa approves discounted Eskom tariff for Manganese Metal Company
4th September 2026 By: Terence Creamer

The National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) has confirmed the approval of a two-year Negotiated Pricing Agreement (NPA) between Eskom and Mpumalanga-based Manganese Metal Company (MMC).... 


An image of the Tshipi manganese mine
Jupiter highlights strong full-year performance at Tshipi
28th August 2026 By: Tasneem Bulbulia

ASX-listed Jupiter Mines says the Tshipi manganese mine, in South Africa, delivered another strong performance in the financial year ended June 30, with production and sales of 3.5-million tonnes,... 


a dusk image of the Khwelamet manganese alloy smelter complex in Meyerton, Gauteng
Phased revival of manganese smelter under way
28th August 2026 By: Halima Frost

The phased revival of the Khwelamet manganese alloy smelter complex in Meyerton, Gauteng, started in January 2026, with the site rehabilitation and refurbishment preparatory work, says mining... 


An image of the Hillside smelter
Base metals underpin South32’s strong full-year performance
27th August 2026 By: Tasneem Bulbulia

Australia-headquartered diversified miner South32’s group underlying earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (Ebitda) increased by 28% year-on-year to $2.5-billion for the... 


South32's Hermosa base metals mine in Arizona
Australia's South32 annual profit jumps 55%, extends shareholder-returns programme
27th August 2026 By: Reuters

Australia's South32 on Thursday posted a 55% rise in annual profit, largely in line with market expectations, and extended its shareholder-returns programme, sending its shares to a more than... 


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pqt: 0.126s - ct: 0.18s - 275pq - 2rq
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