Report Coverage
This report on manganese mining in South Africa includes information on reserves, production, exports and demand. It provides information on industry investments and developments, notable players, corporate actions, and influencing factors, including rail and port issues, input costs, the decline in manganese alloy output, and competition. There are profiles of eight companies, including Assmang, Kalagadi, Tshipi e Ntle, Hotazel and Exxaro Resources (which is buying Mokala mine). It also includes British company Menar Holding, which owns a stake in a ferromanganese smelter.
Introduction
• South Africa’s manganese mining industry is growing in terms of output, exports and employment.
• The country was the world’s largest producer of manganese ore in 2025, accounting for 37.6% of the global total, and its reserves were the largest in the world.
• South Africa is the world’s largest exporter of manganese ore, accounting for over 64% of global exports in US dollars in 2025.
• Employment has increased.
• The consumption of manganese in the manufacture of lithium-ion batteries for battery electric vehicles is increasing.
• Challenges include high input costs and limited rail and port capacity provided by Transnet.
Trends
• Apart from Transnet’s rail lines, manganese ore producers are using road transport to South African ports, and rail and road to Namibian ports because of Transnet’s limited rail and port capacity and its inability to fully utilise that capacity.
• Environmental, social and governance considerations are becoming increasingly important.
• Manganese ore production and exports are increasing.
• The majority of manganese ore production is exported, mostly to China.
Opportunities
• If the Metalloys smelter is reopened and the Transalloys smelter carries on, it will create a local market for more than 2Mt of ore.
• The introduction of private train operating companies over the next few years should lead to higher production and exports.
• Transnet is increasing port and rail capacity for manganese ore exports.
• Use of manganese in the manufacture of lithium-ion batteries for battery electric vehicles is increasing.
Challenges
• Input costs are rising, mostly caused by increasing electricity tariffs.
• Limited rail and port capacity and Transnet’s inability to fully utilise that capacity.
• The possible introduction of an export tax on manganese ore.
Outlook
• Demand for manganese ore is expected to increase in line with rising steel output, at least over the next two years.
• In the long term, the use of manganese in batteries is expected to surge due to rising EV production and higher manganese consumption per battery.
• Manganese ore production is expected to rise in 2026, keeping prices fairly flat.
• South Africa is expected to play an even larger role supplying manganese ore to the global market, as Gabon plans to introduce an export ban, and Australia’s large GEMCO mine has a remaining life of five years.
• The introduction of private train operating companies to Transnet’s network should lead to higher production and exports.
Full Report
R 20 000.00(ZAR) estimated $1199.17 (USD)*
Industry Landscape
R 14 000.00(ZAR) estimated $ 839.42 (USD)*
Historical Reports
Mining of Manganese in South Africa 2023-01-19
R 1 900.00(ZAR) estimated $113.92 (USD)*
View Report Add to CartMining of Manganese in South Africa 2020-06-30
R 1 900.00(ZAR) estimated $113.92 (USD)*
View Report Add to CartTable of Contents
[ Close ]| PAGE | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1. | INTRODUCTION | 1 |
| 2. | DESCRIPTION OF THE INDUSTRY | 1 |
| 2.1. | Industry Value Chain | 2 |
| 2.2. | Geographic Position | 4 |
| 2.3. | Size of the Industry | 5 |
| 3. | LOCAL | 6 |
| 3.1. | State of the Industry | 6 |
| 3.2. | Key Trends | 10 |
| 3.3. | Key Issues | 11 |
| 3.4. | Notable Players | 11 |
| 3.5. | Trade | 13 |
| 3.6. | Corporate Actions | 15 |
| 3.7. | Regulations | 16 |
| 3.8. | Enterprise Development and Social Development | 17 |
| 4. | AFRICA | 18 |
| 5. | INTERNATIONAL | 19 |
| 6. | INFLUENCING FACTORS | 22 |
| 6.1. | Economic Environment | 22 |
| 6.2. | Rail and Port Issues | 22 |
| 6.3. | Labour | 24 |
| 6.4. | Environmental Issues | 25 |
| 6.5. | Technology, R&D and Innovation | 26 |
| 6.6. | Input Costs | 27 |
| 6.7. | Mine Safety | 28 |
| 7. | COMPETITIVE ENVIRONMENT | 28 |
| 7.1. | Competition | 28 |
| 7.2. | Ownership Structure of the Industry | 29 |
| 7.3. | Barriers to Entry | 29 |
| 8. | INDUSTRY SUMMARY | 30 |
| 9. | OUTLOOK | 31 |
| 10. | INDUSTRY ASSOCIATIONS | 31 |
| 11. | REFERENCES | 31 |
| 11.1. | Publications | 31 |
| 11.2. | Websites | 32 |
| 11.3. | Other sources | 32 |
| ANNEXURE 1 | 33 | |
| Industry Legislation | 33 | |
| APPENDIX 1 | 37 | |
| Summary of Notable Players | 37 | |
| COMPANY PROFILES | 39 | |
| ASSMANG (PTY) LTD | 39 | |
| EXXARO RESOURCES LTD | 43 | |
| HOTAZEL MANGANESE MINES (PTY) LTD | 51 | |
| KALAGADI MANGANESE (PTY) LTD | 53 | |
| KUDUMANE MANGANESE RESOURCES (PTY) LTD | 55 | |
| MENAR HOLDING LTD | 57 | |
| TSHIPI E NTLE MANGANESE MINING (PTY) LTD | 61 | |
| UNITED MANGANESE OF KALAHARI (PTY) LTD | 63 | |
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