Manganese
Essential for de-oxidising and strengthening steel, manganese is also pivoting into batteries: high-Mn NMC 9½½, LMFP and sodium-ion cathodes promise lower cost and cobalt-free supply chains. Ore derives mainly from South Africa, Gabon and Australia, but value creation is shifting to high-purity sulfate and electrolytic Mn metal (EMM) (both >90 % China-centric) highlighting processing, not ore, as the key bottleneck.
Supply Dynamics
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South Africa (~30 % of ore) faces rail-port congestion; Gabon and Australia fill spot gaps.
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Chinese EMM accounts for 95 % of global supply; export-licence chatter raises risk premium.
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New HP-MnSO₄ refineries planned in Indonesia and the US seek IRA-compliant feed.
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Recycling of battery Mn is technically feasible but remains below pilot scale.
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Ore-grade drift is modest, yet beneficiation costs rise with ESG water constraints.
Demand Dynamics
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Construction steel (rebar, pipeline) anchors baseline demand; each tonne contains ~10 kg Mn.
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High-Mn Li-ion cathodes could treble battery-grade Mn by 2030 if commercialised.
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Sodium-ion prototypes use EMM as a cost-effective cathode precursor.
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Water-treatment chemicals and micronutrient fertilizers grow with emerging-market infrastructure.
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Price sensitivity rises as steelmakers can flex silicomanganese versus HC-FeMn blends.