Sebilo undertakes its own marketing and sales of manganese to end-users and traders. Monthly, some 58Kt of Sebilo manganese is trucked approximately 100km from site to the Transnet-owned Lohatlha siding for transportation by rail for bulk export out of Port Elizabeth harbour to China (90%) and India (10%).

Since July 2018, our manganese has been exported through the Port of Ngqura, a deep-water port located 20km north-east of Port Elizabeth, which forms part of the Coega Industrial Development Zone under the jurisdiction of Transnet National Ports Authority. Sebilo is proud to have been the first user of the new Ngqura manganese ore terminal.

The port’s state-of-the-art manganese ore-loading facility has increased capacity from the 5.5Mtpa available at Port Elizabeth to 16Mtpa. In addition to positioning the Port of Ngqura as a leading manganese ore exporter globally, it serves as an important catalyst for Sebilo’s growth and development, giving us an excellent conduit for manganese ore to international markets.

Manganese is the fourth most used metal in terms of tonnage and has important industrial uses, particularly in improving the strength of steel. China accounts for approximately 50% of global steel production and is therefore a major importer for South African manganese ore.