JOHANNESBURG, Mar 6 – A consortium of South African manganese producers is preparing to submit a bid to develop and operate a new export terminal for the mineral at the port of Ngqura in the Eastern Cape.
African Rainbow Minerals said the Manganese Producers Consortium, which includes its subsidiary Assmang, intends to participate in the bidding process for the project in partnership with Transnet.
According to the company, private sector participants are interested in collaborating with the state-owned rail and ports operator to improve export infrastructure and logistics capacity.
The proposed facility, known as the Ngqura Manganese Ore Export Terminal, is expected to add about 16 million metric tons of annual manganese export capacity once completed.
ARM said the consortium plans to submit a bid under Transnet’s request for quotation process as a joint venture partner responsible for the design, construction and operation of the terminal.
Transnet is expected to formally invite bids for the project around April as part of broader efforts to involve private companies in rebuilding capacity across South Africa’s rail and port network. The move follows years of operational challenges that have constrained mineral exports.
South Africa holds roughly 70% of the world’s known manganese resources and remains the largest global producer of the mineral, which is primarily used in steel manufacturing. A significant portion of the country’s manganese exports is shipped to China, the world’s largest steel producer.
Industry estimates suggest South Africa exported approximately 26.2 million tons of manganese in 2025, marking a new record and surpassing the previous high of 22.3 million tons recorded in 2024, according to the Minerals Council South Africa.
Despite strong export volumes, ARM reported weaker financial performance from its manganese segment. Headline earnings from the company’s manganese operations dropped by about 76%, largely due to a 22% decline in the average dollar price of high-grade manganese ore.
Overall, ARM’s group profit increased by 10% to about 1.67 billion rand, or roughly $100.8 million, for the six months ending December 31, supported by stronger platinum group metal prices that offset weaker results from manganese, iron ore and coal operations.
