Mineral intelligence
Manganese mining assets in Africa
Manganese is indispensable to steelmaking and there is no viable substitute, which makes it one of the least glamorous and most secure demand stories in mining.
STRATUM does not yet publish verified manganese assets. Intelligence on this mineral is gathered continuously, and members are notified as assets clear verification.
What members see
Grades and assay results, resource and reserve estimates, evidence provenance, deal structure, infrastructure and power, and the geospatial layer. Identity of the operator is released only to compliance-cleared members on an approved request.
Manganese mining: uses, market and Africa’s position
What manganese is
Manganese is mined as oxide ores, principally pyrolusite, and as carbonate ores. Ore is graded by manganese content and by iron and phosphorus levels, and the market splits between metallurgical grade destined for steel and higher purity material destined for chemical and battery applications.
What manganese is used for
Steelmaking
The dominant use. Manganese removes oxygen and sulphur during steel production and adds strength and hardness. There is no economic substitute, so every tonne of steel carries manganese demand.
Battery chemistry
High purity manganese sulphate feeds lithium manganese and high manganese cathode chemistries, a smaller but faster growing and higher specification market.
Aluminium alloys
Manganese improves corrosion resistance in aluminium, including in beverage can stock.
Manganese market outlook
Metallurgical manganese demand tracks global steel output, which is steady rather than dramatic. The interesting development is battery grade: cathode chemistries using more manganese and less cobalt would create demand for high purity manganese sulphate at a specification the steel market never required, and few operations can currently meet it.
Manganese in Africa
South Africa's Kalahari manganese field is the largest known manganese resource in the world, and Gabon and Ghana are also significant producers. Africa's position in manganese is among the strongest of any commodity on the continent.
What to check on a manganese asset
For a manganese asset, the manganese grade and the iron and phosphorus content determine which market the ore can serve. Because manganese ore ships in bulk at moderate value per tonne, distance to rail and port is frequently decisive. If battery grade is the target, purity and the demonstrated ability to produce sulphate matter far more than headline tonnage.