Global Manganese Supply Dynamics: Who Dominates as the Leading Producer of Manganese in 2024?

The leading producer of manganese faces mounting challenges as the commodity market continues its volatile trajectory through 2024 and into early 2025. Supply disruptions from extreme weather events, shifting demand patterns from China’s economic headwinds, and an emerging wave of alternative suppliers have reshaped the competitive landscape for this critical industrial metal. Understanding which countries control the manganese supply chain has never been more crucial for investors and industry stakeholders tracking the global energy transition.

When Tropical Cyclone Megan struck Australia’s Groote Eylandt Mining Company operations in April 2024, manganese prices spiked sharply in response. Yet this temporary surge proved short-lived as competing suppliers ramped up output and Chinese demand remained sluggish. By mid-2024, prices had retreated to their previous levels, and through the first quarter of 2025, the market has essentially stabilized in a holding pattern—a stark contrast to the price fireworks that characterized previous years.

Why Manganese Matters: From Steel Mills to Electric Vehicle Batteries

Historically, the steel industry has dominated manganese consumption, with producers incorporating the silvery metal as an alloy to fortify and improve workability of this construction cornerstone. However, the application landscape is undergoing a profound shift. Manganese dioxide and manganese oxide function as crucial cathode materials in zinc-carbon and alkaline batteries, while manganese additives protect vehicle engines after crude oil processing.

The most transformative opportunity lies in the lithium-ion battery sector. Leading producer of manganese ores must contend with surging demand for advanced battery chemistries: lithium-nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) batteries deliver superior energy density and extended lifespan for electric vehicles, while emerging lithium-manganese-iron-phosphate (LMFP) batteries promise even better low-temperature performance and energy capacity. According to Benchmark Mineral Intelligence projections, manganese consumption will explode—increasing eightfold between 2020 and 2030—as the green energy transition accelerates and EV battery demand outpaces traditional steel sector consumption.

South Africa: The Undisputed Heavyweight

South Africa’s dominance as the leading producer of manganese is virtually uncontested. The nation extracted 7.4 million metric tons in 2024, a modest increase of 200,000 MT year-over-year, while commanding 37 percent of global production and an astounding 70 percent of the world’s known manganese ore resources. Its manganese reserves total 560 million metric tons—more than triple its nearest competitor.

South32, an Australian diversified miner, holds a 44 percent indirect stake in South Africa’s manganese operations through a joint venture with Anglo American (29.6 percent) in the manganese-rich Kalahari Basin. The region operates both the open-pit Mamatwan mine and underground Wessels mine. Additionally, Jupiter Mines operates the Tshipi Borwa mine at 49.9 percent ownership, which ranks as South Africa’s largest manganese mine and among the world’s top five. This concentration of world-class assets cements South Africa’s role as the leading producer of manganese on a global scale.

Gabon and Australia: The Secondary Titans

Gabon emerged as the second-largest manganese supplier with 4.6 million metric tons produced in 2024. Positioned on Africa’s central-western coast, Gabon supplied 63 percent of US manganese ore imports during 2024, making it a linchpin for North American supply chains. The Moanda operation, run by Eramet (the world’s second-largest high-grade manganese ore producer) through subsidiary COMILOG, provides the backbone of Gabon’s output. Production temporarily paused during Q4 2024 as operators responded to market oversupply conditions.

Australia contributed 2.8 million metric tons—essentially flat compared to 2023’s 2.86 million MT—cementing its position as the third major source. South32’s 60 percent stake in GEMCO’s Northern Territory operations positions the company among the world’s lowest-cost manganese ore producers. The cyclone damage to GEMCO’s export infrastructure, however, is expected to constrain sales through at least Q1 2025. Anglo American retains the remaining 40 percent interest. The legacy Tasmanian smelter facility, previously co-owned by South32 and Anglo American, transferred to GFG Alliance in 2021.

Emerging Producers: Africa’s Rising Tier

Ghana rounded out the top tier as the fourth-largest producer, delivering 820,000 metric tons in 2024, a modest uptick from prior years. The western region near Takoradi accounts for the majority of Ghana’s output. Consolidated Minerals (Consmin), a subsidiary of China’s Ningxia Tianyuan Manganese Industry, controls 90 percent of Ghana Manganese Company and operates the Nsuta mine. This arrangement historically funneled manganese supply toward electrolytic manganese metal production and captive feedstock for TMI’s Chinese operations.

India produced 800,000 metric tons in 2024, representing a 56,000 MT year-over-year increase. As one of the world’s largest manganese consumers alongside China and Brazil, India directs the vast majority toward domestic steelmaking. State-owned MOIL, India’s largest producer, operates the nation’s only electrolytic manganese dioxide facility. During fiscal 2023-24, MOIL achieved an all-time high of 1.76 million metric tons of manganese ore production, though the first nine months of fiscal 2024-25 showed 1.33 million metric tons—indicating some moderation in output.

Asian and South American Competitors

China’s manganese production declined to 770,000 metric tons in 2024, continuing a downward trajectory from its 2020 peak of 1.34 million metric tons. COVID-related disruptions and recent production cuts tied to weakness in China’s property sector explain the decline. Paradoxically, China remains the world’s largest manganese consumer, utilizing enormous quantities in steelmaking. Several sizeable ore deposits were reportedly discovered in Guizhou province in 2017 but remain undeveloped, suggesting latent supply potential. The US Geological Survey credits China with 280,000 metric tons in economic reserves—second only to South Africa. Firebird Metals is partnering with Chinese manufacturers to construct a high-purity manganese sulfate monohydrate facility aimed at supplying EV battery producers.

Brazil produced 590,000 metric tons in 2024, up 2,000 metric tons from 2023. Vale, historically the nation’s largest manganese producer controlling 70 percent market share, divested its Center-West manganese and iron ore assets to J&F Investimentos in 2022; the subsidiary Lhg Mining now operates these properties. Lhg resumed production at the underground Urucum mine in mid-2023 and J&F outlined ambitious plans to invest US$1 billion across iron and manganese operations. Buritipar subsidiary Buritirama Mining represents another significant Brazilian producer, committing US$200 million toward expanding Para state operations.

Malaysia and Côte d’Ivoire round out the top tier with 410,000 and 360,000 metric tons respectively. Malaysia has emerged as a specialized hub for manganese ferroalloy production, accounting for 24 percent of US ferromanganese imports. OM Holdings’ Sarawak subsidiary operates a smelter complex that produced 317,995 metric tons of manganese alloy in 2024. Côte d’Ivoire, after peaking at 525,000 metric tons in 2020, now operates four mines (Bondoukou, Guitry, Kaniasso, and Lagnonkaha), with output primarily destined for steel producers in China, India, and Latvia.

The Manganese Price Equation: China’s Recovery Holds the Key

Analysts broadly agree that China’s economic rebound will determine manganese’s next price trajectory. The weak property sector has suppressed domestic steel demand, keeping a lid on consumption despite China’s status as a leading consumer and industrial user. Meanwhile, the leading producer of manganese—South Africa—benefits from structural advantages: abundant reserves, low-cost operations, and established export infrastructure. However, supply diversification across Gabon, Australia, Ghana, India, Brazil, Malaysia, and Côte d’Ivoire provides some price stability protection.

As battery chemistry evolves and EV adoption accelerates, the manganese market faces a pivotal inflection point. The eightfold increase in projected demand through 2030 could fundamentally reshape production hierarchies and investment priorities, potentially elevating nations with scalable reserves and technology partners capable of producing battery-grade materials. South Africa’s dominance as the leading producer of manganese will likely persist, but the competitive dynamics will intensify considerably.

FAQs on Manganese Supply and Applications

Is manganese considered a metal?

Yes, manganese is classified as an important industrial metal. With atomic number 25, it is a hard, brittle, silvery element that ranks second only to iron in abundance among transition elements in Earth’s crust.

What role does manganese dioxide serve in batteries?

Manganese dioxide has long functioned as a depolarizer in alkaline batteries, though the more compelling opportunity lies in lithium-ion chemistry. Electrolytic manganese dioxide now serves as critical cathode material in advanced lithium-manganese oxide and lithium-nickel-manganese-cobalt oxide formulations. Investors betting on expanded battery-sector demand anticipate these manganese-dependent chemistries will proliferate as lithium-ion technology dominates the EV sector.

Which countries lead the manganese market?

South Africa commands nearly 37 percent of global production, followed by Gabon (4.6 million MT), Australia (2.8 million MT), and Ghana (820,000 metric tons). Together, these nations represent the primary supply backbone for global manganese distribution, though India, China, Brazil, Malaysia, and Côte d’Ivoire also contribute meaningfully to total output.