MMC’s refinery is located in Mbombela (Nelspruit), South Africa. In operation because 1974, we are the world’s solely non-China primarily based producer of excessive grade electrolytic manganese steel (EMM) and the world’s greatest refinery of 99.9% (selenium-free) EMM.

We furnish a number fine grades of EMM to a area of interest market of over a hundred and twenty mounted clients in 20 countries, via our special world advertising and marketing network. Our strategically positioned warehouse inventory in our key markets, is quite simply on hand to be delivered to the customer’s door. Our in-house Logistics Team manages our complete grant chain. Exporting round 95% of production, we have remarkable relationships with our provide chain partners.

Our systems, equipment, secure running philosophy and first-rate commercial enterprise practices furnish our clients with peace of mind, quality exceptional and dependable supply.

MMC’s refining plant is aligned with the South African government’s goals of beneficiation and empowerment.
Our merchandise are used in the top-end of the market, in the following industries:

Aluminium
Steel
Non-ferrous Alloys
Rechargeable lithium-based batteries
Chemicals
Electronics
Welding consumables

MMC’s refining method float is designed to produce a excessive purity, selenium-free product whilst limiting the have an effect on on the surroundings and defending the fitness of its employees.

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The refining system starts offevolved with high-grade ore, mined in the Kalahari.
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The ore is milled to a powder.
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Then it undergoes calcining in rotary kilns, to be decreased to a soluble form.
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The decreased ore is dissolved in acid solution.
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Solution purification – precipitation of impurities in two thickener stages, accompanied through filtration in clarifilters.
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Sulphur dioxide, and now not selenium dioxide, is brought to the purified answer earlier than electrolysis can take place.
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The solution is then fed into the electrolytic cells, the place electric powered present day reasons the pure manganese to plate on the cathodes.
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The plated manganese is stripped from the cathodes, washed, dried and degassed. This metallic is manganese in its purest, cleanest form. Depending on the person client requirements, the metallic is then processed similarly (e.g. milled to powder) and packaged for shipment.
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Sulphuric acid, shaped at the anodes, is re-cycled returned to the dissolution process.
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The strong residue final after dissolving the manganese is filtered to get better manganese- and ammonium sulphates to acquire a dry cake for disposal.
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The recovered answer is again to the dissolution.
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The dry cake is transported to Kingston Vale. MMC holds approves to function a hazardous landfill facility here. The Kingston Vale landfill graph consists of liners with leakage detection and trenches to gather all run-off and leachate.
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After collection, the liquid is again to MMC’s plant and exceeded thru the effluent remedy plant. All different liquid effluents from somewhere on the MMC site, together with contaminated runoff from rainwater, are additionally cleaned in the effluent cure plant. Here dissolved metals are precipitated and filtered out, accompanied via pH correction and ammonia stripping, to make sure that no contaminated water leaves the MMC site.

Manganese is an crucial thing in the cathodes of a number of lithium-ion battery chemistries. Today, round 20–30% of our High-Purity Electrolytic Manganese Metal (HP EMM) manufacturing is dissolved in sulphuric acid through clients to produce liquid manganese sulphate — a integral feedstock for NCM-type precursor cathode energetic substances (pCAM).

To tackle the developing demand for manganese in the battery industry, MMC developed two proprietary techniques for producing High Purity Manganese Sulphate Monohydrate (HP MSM):

Metal to Crystal (MTX): This system builds on our current HP EMM manufacturing by using dissolving a element of our output—produced the usage of a hundred percent renewable electricity—in sulphuric acid, and then crystalising it to create HP MSM crystals. The MTX method offers MMC a good sized speed-to-market benefit and the flexibility to scale our production in line with demand from pCAM producers for non-Chinese sustainable HP MSM.
Ore to Crystal (OTX): This long-term, sustainable, and lowest value strategy will make use of manganese ore as the beginning cloth and via a mixture of chemical and bodily tactics dispose of impurities from the manganese ore to produce HP MSM crystals at giant scale, presenting an even lower-carbon footprint product to meet future market needs.
We are presently in the early tiers of developing a 6,000-tonne per annum business HP MSM plant in Mbombela, South Africa, the usage of the MTX process, scheduled to start manufacturing in H1 2026. This brownfield enlargement at our present HP EMM website will considerably beautify our production capability and market presence.

We purpose to furnish our clients with a safer, cleaner, greater sustainable Manganese Sulphate product whilst additionally imparting them the chance to keep away from dealing with international locations that have excessive tiers of geopolitical tension, unrest and lack of transparency.

Our future plans
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The demand for battery-grade manganese is anticipated to upward push sharply with the developing adoption of electric powered vehicles.

Our Metal to Crystal (MTX) plant, firstly sized at 6,000 tpa, is designed to meet near-term demand for high-purity manganese sulphate monohydrate (HP MSM), with plans to scale up to 30,000 tpa. In the longer term, we goal to convey our Ore to Crystal (OTX) method online, beginning with a ~30,000 tpa plant past 2030. The rollout of OTX capability will align with the commercialisation tempo of high-manganese battery chemistries such as LMR, NMx, and LMFP.

Our dual-track approach displays a dedication to offering the market reliably and sustainably whilst enabling extra affordable, lower-carbon batteries for a cleaner future.

We goal to provide our clients with a safer, cleaner, greater sustainable Manganese Sulphate product whilst additionally imparting them the chance to keep away from dealing with nations that have excessive degrees of geopolitical tension, unrest and lack of transparency.

Our future plans
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The demand for battery-grade manganese is predicted to upward thrust sharply with the developing adoption of electric powered vehicles.

Our Metal to Crystal (MTX) plant, at the start sized at 6,000 tpa, is designed to meet near-term demand for high-purity manganese sulphate monohydrate (HP MSM), with plans to scale up to 30,000 tpa. In the longer term, we intention to convey our Ore to Crystal (OTX) technique online, beginning with a ~30,000 tpa plant past 2030. The rollout of OTX potential will align with the commercialisation tempo of high-manganese battery chemistries such as LMR, NMx, and LMFP.

Our dual-track method displays a dedication to imparting the market reliably and sustainably whilst enabling extra affordable, lower-carbon batteries for a cleaner future.

The lithium-ion battery (LiB) market is experiencing transformative growth, fuelled by using a international demand for electric powered motors (EVs), battery electricity storage structures (BESS), and transportable electronics. The pressing want for cleaner transportation options and a international dedication to lowering carbon emissions have accelerated EV adoption. Forecasts point out a 294% expand in E-transportation Lithium-ion battery demand between 2025 and 2035. Scaling battery uncooked cloth manufacturing will be crucial to meet this demand.

As a key ingredient in many battery compositions, the high-purity manganese sulphate monohydrate (HP MSM) market is placed for explosive increase alongside the LiB industry. In 2024, international manufacturing of HP MSM stood at ~230 kt in accordance to the International Manganese Institute (IMnI), but cathode energetic cloth (CAM) forecasts assignment demand for HP MSM to surge to ~1.4 Mt with the aid of 2030. This fast growth highlights the quintessential want for dependable HP MSM provide chains, sustainable sourcing practices, and ongoing innovation in battery applied sciences and recycling.

Manganese can be used in a range of one-of-a-kind sorts of batteries, including:

Nickel-Manganese-Cobalt (NMC) batteries
Lithium Manganese Nickel Oxide (LMNO) batteries
Lithium Manganese Rich (LMR) batteries
Lithium Iron Manganese Phosphate (LMFP) batteries

Why is Manganese used in Lithium-ion batteries?
Increased capacity: Manganese can assist make bigger lithium-ion batteries’ potential with the aid of up to 20%. This is due to the fact manganese has a excessive electrochemical potential, which potential that it can keep extra lithium ions than different materials.

Improved safety: Manganese can assist enhance the protection of lithium-ion batteries and enhance their security with the aid of making them much less inclined to overheating and combustion. This is due to the fact manganese is a properly conductor of heat, which helps to dissipate warmness away from the battery.

Reduced cost: Manganese is a highly less expensive fabric that can assist limit the fee of lithium-ion batteries. This is due to the fact manganese is extra plentiful than different substances used in lithium-ion batteries, such as Cobalt.

Mn is required in all grades of metal to act as deoxidiser or desulphuriser. Electrolytic Mn is introduced at once to the ladle in the closing composition correction step. Producers of low carbon, HSLA or excessive Mn steels decide upon the low degrees of C, S, P, Si and H impurities in MMC’s products. The thicker flake and decrease dirt content material of MMC’s LH flake enhance fabric coping with and extend Mn yield.

Electrolytic Mn is required when producing welding fluxes with low C and P specifications. The uniform dimension evaluation and excessive purity of MMC’s merchandise simplify the manufacturing of flux combinations and improves the fantastic of welding rods and cored wire. The low hydrogen content material of MMC’s powders, collectively with the choice to use stabilised powders, provide the producers of welding consumables a special uncooked material.

Various ferrous and non-ferrous speciality alloys with stringent purity controls are produced with MMC’s electrolytic Mn, due to the low ranges of hydrogen, lead, bismuth and the absence of selenium. Contamination of these high-value alloys is extraordinarily costly, however MMC’s pleasant controls and full product traceability gives peace of mind.

Quality
Priding our self on foremost product quality, full product tractability and tremendous after income service. Our manufacturing facility is ISO 9001: 2008 certified, and in help of our ISO certification, MMC makes use of world classification procedure manage systems, state-of-the-art evaluation methods and alarm administration systems.

The completely practical in-house laboratory with kingdom of the artwork analytical gear performs analytical evaluation from the uncooked substances obtained via to the ultimate product certification.

ENVIRONMENTAL
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Manganese Metal Company is decreasing its environmental influence by using the use of renewable strength sources, decreasing water usage, recycling and decreasing waste. The organisation is dedicated to being a sustainable agency and is taking steps to decrease its affect on the environment.

How MMC is assisting sustainable development
Manganese Metal Company is assisting sustainable improvement via lowering its environmental impact, investing in nearby communities, and merchandising gender equality.
Policy downloads

ISO 14001:2015 Certificate legitimate eleven September 2024

MMC HSEQ Policy

Sustainability at MMC

MMC Energy Policy

Selenium-free production
Why we pick Selenium free

MMC chooses to appoint a selenium free process. Selenium free manganese (99.9% Mn) is purer, safer and greater environmentally pleasant than selenium containing manganese (99.7% Mn).

Selenium is special amongst hint factors in that toxicity can happen at concentrations solely barely greater that these required for regular metabolism.
The use of selenium in manganese manufacturing has the following dangerous effects:

Selenium free manganese is purer

The selenium infection of electrolytic manganese consequences in a product with a metallic purity of 99.7% Mn, whereas selenium free manganese has a metallic purity of 99.9% Mn. The selenium content material in manganese metallic produced the use of the selenium science can be as excessive as 0.15%.

Hydrogen selenide and different selenium compounds are toxic

Selenium compounds are hazardous to the environment

SOCIAL
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How MMC is working to enhance the lives of its personnel and the communities in which it operates
Manganese Metal Company is devoted to improving the well-being of its personnel and nearby communities by way of actively pursuing social accountability initiatives, such as imparting instructional and coaching programs, merchandising sustainable improvement projects, and aiding worker healthcare and environmental initiatives, all in line with its ESG goals.

Policy downloads
Health & Safety coverage (HSEQ)

ISO certification (45001:2018)

Community Initiatives

The PFP Partnership, Enkhokhokhweni Primary school
Located in the Clau-Clau/Zwelitsha area
Ongoing partnership with MMC
Goals:

Improved Learner performance
Improved Sanitation and primary water supply
Focused Teacher improvement to enhance Subject Matter Expert knowledge
Improved parental involvement
Improved Fundraising effort via the SGB
The PFP Partnership, Enkhokhokhweni Primary school
Manganese Metal Company’s Socio-economic development/ Community funding tasks are based totally on an overarching approach on aiding Skills improvement in our Local Municipality. Amongst others, the agency has correctly contributed to the following flagship projects:

Contributions toward the development of a Science Discovery Centre, a first for our Municipality.
Support for the Electric Vehicle Challenge thru a sponsorship for three neighborhood Penreach High Schools. To study greater about the Penreach college improvement application go to www.penryn.co.za/pages/penreach. The Electric Vehicle Challenge is an annual match organised with the aid of the Rotary Project, to expose inexperienced persons to scientific and engineering ideas as nicely as nurture innovation and creativity. In addition to tender competencies received such as hassle fixing and teamwork, freshmen additionally gather sensible competencies such as welding.
Periodic Engineering Internship & Vacation Work opportunities;
Participation on the Partners for Possibility School Development program, to examine greater about PfP go to www.pfp4sa.org/ .
Annual School Uniform, Books donations and Support for Career Days at quite a number academic establishments inside the province.
Hosting academic excursions for Universities and different Local Tertiary establishments for benchmarking and publicity to the industry
Manganese Metal Company’s contribution toward Local Business Development:

Preferential Procurement from Black-Owned/Small organizations inside our footprint
Support for the Local Business Chamber
Sponsorship toward the Timbali Incubation project
Partnership with SEDA Mpumalanga on an Executive Leadership Coaching programme for female enterprise owners. The programme’s goals were:
Building commercial enterprise administration capabilities for the beneficiary SME businesses
Assist them in enhancing efficiencies and effectiveness
Build synergies for achievable future provider possibilities inside MMC
Compliance with statutory policies e.g. on Quality Management, Labour Relations, etc.

GOVERNANCE AND ETHICS
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We accept as true with integrity and ethics are necessary for sustainable commercial enterprise practices. At MMC, we have a strong governance framework that ensures transparency, accountability, and disclosure of information. We accept as true with in strolling our commercial enterprise ethically and transparently, which is critical to the company’s long-term success.

Policy downloads
MMC Ethics Policy

POPI Act

Whistleblowing
Vuthela Tip-offs Anonymous gives an nameless reporting channel for unethical behaviour in the workplace.
We are a exclusive whistleblowing carrier running 24-hours a day, 356 days a year.
It does not rely wether you are an employee, customer, supplier, supervisor or shareholder – now you can document fraud and inappropriate things to do in an company in a safe, private and impenetrable way.
Tip-off facts can be given to us by means of finishing the shape beneath the “Make a Report” area on this webpage or by means of sending a fax to 086 212 9155 or e-mail to reports@vuthela.co.za

Get full information and check for opportunities at the company here