The funding, provided by the State-owned Industrial Development Corporation (IDC), will accelerate Giyani Metals’ high-purity manganese sulphate monohydrate (HPMSM) demonstration plant in Johannesburg. HPMSM is a critical precursor material used in lithium-ion batteries for EVs and energy storage systems, making it a cornerstone of the growing green technology sector.
“We would like to thank the IDC for being such a supportive partner,” said Giyani interim executive chairperson Nigel Robinson, speaking to Mining Weekly.
This additional investment increases the total IDC-backed loan facility to R329.9 million. It allows Giyani Metals to integrate operational insights from its demonstration plant into a definitive feasibility study (DFS), now expected for completion in Q2 2026. These insights will guide the scaling of operations and the eventual commercial production of manganese for EV batteries.
The Johannesburg demo plant has already enabled the company to validate reagent consumption, crystalliser operation, and large-scale process management, key data that will inform Giyani’s future commercial-scale HPMSM plant at the K.Hill project in Botswana. Once operational, this plant is expected to supply both regional and international battery manufacturers, enhancing Africa’s role in the global energy transition.
South Africa’s support of Giyani Metals reflects a broader national strategy to diversify into EV production and battery materials. By financing projects that produce high-purity, low-carbon battery materials, the country aims to reduce dependence on imports, develop local expertise, and position itself as a hub for Africa’s EV supply chain.
IDC-backed initiatives like this not only create jobs and boost technological capacity locally but also strengthen South Africa’s influence in a market where sustainable, low-carbon battery materials are increasingly critical. For the continent, projects like Giyani’s signal a move toward an integrated African EV supply chain from raw materials to battery-grade products, offering the region a competitive stake in the global EV revolution.
