Manganese and Battery Materials
Manganese (Mn) is an abundant metal primarily used in steel production. Around 20 million tonnes of Mn ore is mined annually principally from South Africa, Gabon and Australia.
Less than 1% of mined Mn ore is processed into high-purity manganese for lithium-ion battery (LIB) cathodes.
A refined form of Mn (high-purity manganese sulphate monohydrate “HPMSM”) is a critical component of LIB cathodes, specifically combined with nickel and cobalt in ternary cathodes (i.e. NMC). These chemistries have historically dominated the LIB sector for electric vehicles (EVs), but rising raw material costs have seen them lose popularity to cheaper lithium iron phosphate (LFP) cathodes.
Since HPMSM is substantially cheaper than nickel and cobalt, it has become an attractive substitution option for cathode manufacturers. A new variant of LFP, which incorporates manganese (LMFP) to boost performance, is expected to gain market share and increase demand for refined manganese. Other manganese-rich variations of NMC and lithium nickel manganese oxide (LNMO) cathodes are also in development.
Production of high-purity manganese is heavily concentrated in China, which accounts for over 95% of current global capacity. To establish robust supply chains, therefore, EV manufacturers will demand a huge increase in international production capacity, but no new non-Chinese projects are currently in construction
DERK HARTMAN
JACQUES DU TOIT
JACQUES DU TOIT
– CEO, Founder –
An experienced battery metals and mining executive with a focus on metallurgy and project delivery.
Previous roles include Director Strategy & Project Delivery at MET63, President & COO of Giyani Metals, Director EPC & Project Delivery at Royal IHC, and Co-Founder of three exploration companies.
Holds an MSc in Extractive Metallurgy and a FT Non-Executive Director Diploma.
JACQUES DU TOIT
JACQUES DU TOIT
JACQUES DU TOIT
– COO, Co-founder –
A commercial and PMP accredited project and program manager with a proven track record in spearheading complex change across multiple offices, companies, and countries.
Previous roles include VP Technical Services of Giyani Metals, Project Director at Tetra Tech, and Project Manager at GMB Minerals Engineering.
Holds
– COO, Co-founder –
A commercial and PMP accredited project and program manager with a proven track record in spearheading complex change across multiple offices, companies, and countries.
Previous roles include VP Technical Services of Giyani Metals, Project Director at Tetra Tech, and Project Manager at GMB Minerals Engineering.
Holds a Chartered Engineer status, an MSc in Engineering (Mechanical), and PMP certification.
GEORGE DONNE
JACQUES DU TOIT
GEORGE DONNE
– Business Development Consultant –
Experience in mining investment banking, private equity and corporate development.
Prior roles include Director Corporate Development with Eurasian Resources Group, the world’s third largest cobalt producer, VP Business Development of Giyani Metals, Senior Investment Professional at Greenstone Resource
– Business Development Consultant –
Experience in mining investment banking, private equity and corporate development.
Prior roles include Director Corporate Development with Eurasian Resources Group, the world’s third largest cobalt producer, VP Business Development of Giyani Metals, Senior Investment Professional at Greenstone Resources PE Fund and JP Morgan Mining & Metals IB.
CFA Level 4 Certificate in ESG Investing.