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South Africa Manganese

Our South African manganese mines are found in the manganese rich Kalahari Basin, in the country’s Northern Cape, which is home to 80 per cent of the world's manganese ore body.

South Africa Manganese

1 Peperboom Avenue, Hotazel
Northern Cape, 8490
South Africa
Phone: +27 53 742 2300

Key statistics

2,108 kwmt

FY23 manganese ore production

44.4%

South32 share - Ore

60%

South32 share - Alloy

US$3.2m

FY23 community investment

Our operations

Our South Africa Manganese operation can be found in the manganese rich Kalahari Basin, in the country’s Northern Cape, which is home to 80 per cent of the world's manganese.

This manganese business is made up of two manganese mines, and the Metalloys manganese alloy smelter in Meyerton, Gauteng, which remains on care and maintenance as we assess future options.

The open-cut Mamatwan mine started operating more than half a century ago, with the underground Wessels mine following a few years later

The two mines are part of the Hotazel Manganese Mines (HMM) consortium, which we hold a 44.4 per cent interest in, and the remaining interest is held by Anglo America Plc and Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment entities.

The Wessels mine has vertical and incline shafts and uses the mechanized bord and pillar mining method, while the Mamatwan mine uses the terrace mining method.

Partnering with communities

Partnering with communities

We have seen an incredible amount of change in South Africa since we started operating here, and we’ve done our best to bring about positive changes as well.

We are working hard to make a meaningful contribution to the social and economic development of the country and we are committed to South Africa’s National Transformation Agenda.

We are doing this by:

  • Boosting economic empowerment with broad-based equity ownership structures
  • Advocating for equal representation in the workplace by upskilling historically disadvantaged workforces
  • Creating opportunities for the growth of black enterprises
  • Recruiting from within our local communities
  • Improving housing and living conditions for our team members
  • Increasing local engagement through sustainable community development
  • Making sure our plans are aligned with our values and the South African Mining Charter
Learn more about how South32 supports local communities

Our stories

An aerial photo of Kotulong Community Centre in Meyerton, South Africa

South32 Metalloys hands over new sustainable facility for local children

South32 Metalloys handed over a R45-million newly built sustainable facility to the Kotulong Community Centre (KCC), an NGO that takes care of vulnerable children in Meyerton, South Africa. The facility forms part of Metalloys’ legacy and was previous located within the premises of the operation.

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Building respectful behaviours in our communities

Our team at Hotazel Manganese Mines (HMM) has partnered with KM Therapy Solutions to mentor young boys in the Kuruman region of South Africa.

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SA Manganese helps build local primary school

Our South Africa Manganese business has handed over the newly built Rearata Primary School to the Northern Cape Department of Basic Education at a ceremony in Kuruman and the community of Vergenoeg Village.

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Manganese

Manganese

A metal in high demand that is increasingly used in EV battery chemistries and to improve the quality and strength of steel in major infrastructure such as hospitals, office towers and bridges.

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  • Barry Bezuidenhout

    Vice President Operations

    Barry was appointed Vice President Operations South Africa Manganese in February 2022.
    Prior to this he was General Manager at our Wessels Mine and before that, General Manager at Mamatwan Mine. Barry holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mining Engineering, as well as a Masters degree in Business Leadership. He is also a council member of the Association of Mine Managers of South Africa.

Contacts

Noleen Dube, External Affairs

Phone: +27 53 742 2293