Despite offtaker qualification having only recently being started at manganese development company Giyani Metals’ Botswana-based manganese oxide project – the K.Hill project, CEO Charles FitzRoy says there has already been considerable interest from engaged parties.

He made the statement following Giyani’s May delivery of its first shipment – from its Johannesburg, South Africa-based demonstration plant – of high purity manganese oxide (HPMO) samples to multiple potential offtakers for testing and qualification.

Regarding financing partners for construction of the project, Giyani has received a letter of intent from Export-Import Bank of the United States for up to $225-million of long-term debt, with a repayment period of up to 15 years.

“While this is just the first step in the process of securing possible funding, this important milestone validates Giyani as a preferred strategic developer of battery-grade manganese products,” says FitzRoy.

He adds that Giyani is also currently engaging with multiple other potential financing partners.

“Having the demonstration plant enables Giyani to produce sufficient product of both HPMO and high-purity manganese sulphate monohydrate (HPMSM) for the qualification process, which is a significant strategic advantage over our competitors,” notes FitzRoy.

The dual product offering provides Giyani with technological optionality, meaning the company is uniquely positioned to meet demand as battery chemistries continue to evolve and shape the market.

Further, battery chemistries are evolving and being upgraded to improve energy efficiencies, crucial to their uses and, as a result, are moving towards higher manganese content, he highlights.

Global automakers Ford and General Motors, for example, recently announced lithium-manganese-rich breakthroughs which contain multiples more manganese than their current nickel-manganese-cobalt batteries, elaborates FitzRoy.

“New developments in battery chemistries may open up the need for other forms of manganese, and it is vital that Giyani moves with the market,” he says, adding that the ability to produce HPMO and HPMSM gives Giyani “that edge”.

“It is clear that there is interest around K.Hill and we appreciate the incredible support from our stakeholders,” he says.

Currently, over 90% of the global supply of battery-grade manganese is controlled by China, notes FitzRoy, adding that Western countries are increasingly seeking sources of critical minerals like manganese independent of China to add diversity to their supply.

“Giyani’s K.Hill project is strategically positioned to meet this rising demand.”

Up and Running

As can be expected with commissioning any facility of the type similar to K.Hill, Giyani has faced a number of challenges, the large majority of which were expected and mitigated, with only a few unexpected challenges, says FitzRoy.

“Giyani has had the opportunity to test the flowsheet at scale, and so has learnt a lot more than lab or pilot scale testing could offer, and we continue to use the demo plant to further optimise and continuously improve our process and cost base,” he says.

Challenges in developing the demonstration plant have been identified and worked through, thereby forming a critical part of the learning process, adds FitzRoy.

“Learning these now, prior to the construction of the commercial plant, has enabled Giyani to address any issues, saving time and costs further down the line, which is proving valuable during the definitive feasibility study (DFS), [which is] due for completion in the first quarter of 2026; it will also be invaluable for the commercial plant ramp-up from 2028,” he says.

Giyani’s demonstration plant is the largest of its kind outside of China, says FitzRoy, adding that it was built at a 1:10 scale relative to the planned Botswana commercial plant.

The plant’s advanced design and size provide a foundation for engaging potential offtake partners and offer advantages that smaller facilities cannot match.

“In particular, the demo plant has enabled our team to target steady-state operations over extended periods, consequently proving Giyani’s ability to produce battery-grade manganese and satisfy offtake qualification requirements,” he adds.

Further, operating at a pre-commercial scale provides valuable insights into how the commercial full-size plant will perform, significantly derisking the project.

The lessons learned from the demonstration plant will inform the construction of the commercial facility, resulting in operational efficiencies and cost savings during the build phase, thereby ensuring a smoother, more successful ramp-up.

Meanwhile, Giyani received a 50-year Special Economic Zone licence in January for the K.Hill project, thereby offering significant benefits, including substantial corporate tax reductions and expedited permit issuance for skilled personnel, which enhances the project’s viability and economic prospects.

It also underscores the country’s commitment to fostering innovation and promoting sustainable growth.

With the offtake process underway and the DFS progressing steadily, Giyani aims to start early works on the commercial plant in Botswana in 2026, with full-scale construction planned to start in 2027.

“Ramp up of the commercial plant to full production is targeted for 2028,” concludes FitzRoy.