South African Manganese Miners Plan Bid for Ngqura Export Terminal to Boost Capacity

A consortium of South African manganese producers plans to bid for the construction and operation of a new export terminal at the Ngqura port in the Eastern Cape, a move aimed at expanding the country’s mineral export capacity and easing logistics bottlenecks.

The proposal was confirmed by African Rainbow Minerals (ARM), which said its subsidiary Assmang is part of the Manganese Producers Consortium (MPC) preparing a joint bid with state-owned logistics operator Transnet.

New Ngqura Manganese Export Terminal Planned

The project involves the design, construction, and operation of the Ngqura Manganese Ore Export Terminal, a dedicated facility that could significantly increase South Africa’s manganese export capacity.

According to ARM, the planned terminal is expected to add around 16 million metric tons of annual manganese export capacity, helping to address transport constraints that have slowed mineral shipments in recent years.

“The MPC intends to bid for the request for quotation with Transnet as a joint-venture partner for the design, build, construction and operation of the new manganese ore export port at Ngqura,” the company said in its latest results statement.

Transnet is expected to invite formal bids for the terminal around April 2026, as part of broader reforms to open sections of the country’s rail and port infrastructure to private investment.

Public-Private Partnership to Improve Mining Logistics

South Africa’s rail and port network has struggled with declining capacity in recent years due to infrastructure challenges and operational inefficiencies.

To restore export volumes, Transnet has begun inviting private sector participation to help fund and manage key logistics projects.

The proposed Ngqura terminal is viewed as a critical initiative that could strengthen South Africa’s position as a global supplier of manganese while improving efficiency in the mineral export supply chain.

South Africa Dominates Global Manganese Resources

South Africa holds approximately 70% of the world’s manganese resources, making it the largest global producer of the mineral. Manganese is primarily used in steel production, a sector heavily driven by demand from China.

Exports from South Africa are largely shipped to the Asian market, particularly China, the world’s largest steelmaker.

According to the Minerals Council South Africa, the country exported about 26.2 million tons of manganese in 2025, a record level. This surpassed the previous high of 22.3 million tons recorded in 2024.

ARM Earnings Impacted by Manganese Price Decline

Despite record export volumes, manganese producers have faced pressure from falling global prices.

African Rainbow Minerals reported that headline earnings from its manganese operations fell 76%, mainly due to a 22% decline in the average dollar price for high-grade manganese ore.

However, the diversified mining company still recorded a 10% increase in overall profit, reaching 1.67 billion rand ($100.8 million) for the six months ending December 31. Stronger prices for platinum group metals (PGMs) helped offset weaker performance from manganese, iron ore, and the company’s loss-making coal division.

Strategic Importance of the Ngqura Terminal

Industry analysts say the Ngqura export terminal could play a crucial role in strengthening South Africa’s mineral logistics infrastructure.

If completed, the project would help:

• Expand manganese export capacity
• Reduce congestion at existing ports
• Support increased mining output
• Improve global supply chain reliability for steelmakers

With manganese remaining a critical input for global steel production, improving export infrastructure is likely to remain a priority for South Africa’s mining sector.