Johannesburg — South Africa’s state-owned logistics operator Transnet has begun the process of selecting a private-sector partner to develop and operate a new manganese export terminal for 25 years, as it seeks to increase the country’s export capacity for the critical mineral by 20%.
South Africa is the world’s largest manganese exporter, shipping about 26 million metric tons in 2025, according to the Minerals Council.
Transnet currently handles about 16 million tons of South Africa’s manganese exports annually through its freight rail network. The company is seeking a private-sector partner to finance, develop, operate and maintain a new export corridor linking manganese mines in the Northern Cape with a new terminal at Ngqura in the Eastern Cape.
Transnet said it had issued a Request for Qualification (RFQ) as the first step in selecting a strategic partner for the project.
Reducing reliance on road transport
The proposed terminal is expected to shift around 10 million tons of manganese exports currently transported by road to the rail-linked export corridor.
Ngqura, located about 20 km northeast of Port Elizabeth, is expected to strengthen South Africa’s manganese export infrastructure. Port Elizabeth currently accounts for about 65% of the country’s manganese export capacity.
The project comes as Transnet increasingly turns to private-sector participation following years of infrastructure underinvestment and limited government funding.
Asia remains the key market
South Africa’s manganese exports are heavily concentrated in Asia, with about 95% of export volumes heading to the region.
China is the dominant destination, accounting for nearly 68% of shipments, followed by India at 16%, Singapore at 3%, Malaysia at 3% and Japan at 2%.
Manganese is primarily used in steel production, but demand is also expanding in battery technologies used in the global energy transition.
Source: Reuters
Reporting: Nelson Banya
Editing: Kirsten Donovan
