Africa holds approximately 62 percent of the world's economically recoverable manganese reserves. South Africa's Kalahari Manganese Field in the Northern Cape is the single largest global deposit. Gabon's COMILOG operation produces approximately 7 million tonnes annually from the high-grade Moanda mine. Global manganese demand is being transformed by the electric vehicle battery industry: lithium-manganese-iron-phosphate cathodes are gaining market share due to improved safety and lower cost characteristics, creating premium demand for battery-grade manganese far above metallurgical-grade pricing.
Beneficiation Push
South Africa exported 16 million tonnes of manganese ore in 2023 in almost entirely unprocessed form. The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition has mandated a 50 percent beneficiation levy from 2026 to incentivise domestic processing. Manganese Metal Company and South32 are investing in battery-grade processing facilities. Gabon is developing a battery materials processing zone at Port-Gentil. Mining sector investors and commodity traders can access African mineral market data on intra-africa.com.
For businesses looking to expand across Africa, intra-africa.com offers a comprehensive trade directory, verified buyer and seller listings, and real-time market intelligence covering all 54 African nations. It remains an indispensable resource for anyone serious about intra-African commerce.