Battery metals development and mining company Giyani Metals is making headway in progressing the definitive feasibility study (DFS) for its K.Hill manganese mining project in Botswana. Project financing is expected in 2026, construction in 2027, ramp up of the commercial plant in 2028 and full production in 2030, benefitting the Botswana mining sector and economy, as well as global markets, reports CEO Charles FitzRoy.

Giyani Metals, in preparation for the K.Hill project’s projected establishment, has also launched a demonstration plant in Johannesburg, South Africa, which has successfully produced high-purity manganese oxide (HPMO), and is on track to produce high-purity manganese sulphate monohydrate (HPMSM) in the third quarter of this year.

The demonstration plant has provided numerous learnings which have fed directly into the DFS and will be leveraged for the construction of the commercial plant in Botswana, which will have an output of 80 000 t of HPMSM.

“This was a huge milestone for the company, proving the flowsheet at precommercial scale and enabling the initiation of offtaker qualification – a critical component for project financing,” he says.

The demonstration plant will also significantly derisk the bigger commercial K.Hill plant, as the former’s results will be used to drive efficiencies at the commercial plant.

“We have received a letter of intent from Export-Import Bank of the United States for up to $225-million long-term debt with a repayment period of up to 15 years for construction of the project.

This non-binding agreement is “just the first step” in securing possible funding, and an “important milestone that validates Giyani as a preferred strategic developer of battery-grade manganese products”.

FitzRoy adds that it exemplifies the growing recognition of the importance of manganese in electric vehicle and energy storage system markets in the US.

Once K.Hill is operational, Giyani Metals can provide manganese for various African and global markets, including those of solar energy, data centres, power grids, battery energy storage and uninterruptable power supply systems.

“Giyani’s dual-offering of HPMO and HPMSM provides the company with optionality that positions it well to keep up with evolving battery chemistries and is, thus, well-positioned to meet demand from Western markets,” he adds.

The company will also focus on providing manganese byproducts to the agricultural sectors in various parts of Africa and abroad.

Going forward, FitzRoy says Giyani Metals aims to further align the company’s national and global positioning with that of the government of Botswana, considering the country’s intentions to more broadly diversify its industrial and mining base, with less focus on diamonds.

“Critical mineral projects such as ours are key to that strategy. This approach aligns with our vision of creating sustainable economic opportunities within Botswana and our commitment to economic empowerment of local citizens.

“We also continue our longstanding partnership with the University of Botswana, through which students are given the opportunity to learn first-hand from Giyani’s geologists and conduct research at our assets,” he says.

Meanwhile, the company also continues to develop and implement community-focused initiatives, such as a past initiative which provided “differently-abled individuals” from the Kanye and Bangwaketse communities with wheelchairs, walking frames and mattresses.

In this vein, Giyani Metals also provided 75 Segopotso Primary School “Special Education Unit” learners with schoolbags as sponsor of the Commemoration of International Disability Day in Kanye.