Modern Mining March 2021

MANGANESE

First blast at East Manganese

Having opened the first box cut at the start of September last year, diversified mining investment group, Menar, recently undertook its first blast at East Manganese, the compa- ny’s first manganese asset located near the Northern Cape town of Hotazel in South Africa, writes Munesu Shoko .

I n a major project milestone, Menar Group project manager Kobus Rothmann tells Modern Mining that the company successfully had its first blast of about 35 000 m³ on February 27 this year at its flagship East Manganese project, the company’s first foray outside its traditional mainstay of coal and anthracite in South Africa. Commenting on the latest developments on site, Rothmann says the stripping of overburden and infrastructure construction continues, with the pol- lution control dam, screening plant foundations and workshops among the major priorities. The plant is being constructed off-site and on completion it will be transported to site and erected on the founda- tions that have already been put in place. “The main tip wall of the plant has reached its final height. The upgrading of the access road inter- section within the main road is in progress, with the contractor already on site. A key milestone for the project achieved thus far is the final blast on the Calcrete overburden on 15 February,” explains Rothmann. Focus areas Menar is currently engaging with an existing opera- tion that has a private siding, in order to gain rail access. The company, says Rothmann, has also submitted a proposal to Transnet Freight Rail to

receive allocation for its Manganese Export Capacity Allocation (MECA2). The establishment of the East Manganese Mine will aid economic activities in the area and create between 70 and 80 direct new jobs on the mining complex, once peak production has been reached. “If we multiply this figure by 10 (which is the average number of people that are dependent on a single salary earner in South Africa), then in essence 700 – 800 people will benefit from this project,” explains Rothmann. “Indirect economic benefit of the operation, even though not fully quantifiable at this stage, will more likely be far-reaching. The mine’s recruitment process was undertaken in conjunction with Joe Morolong Local Municipality, which through its Local Economic Development (LED) forum, has been key to ensuring that all candidates are in fact locals,” says Rothmann, adding that East Manganese is bringing meaningful benefits to the local community, which will undoubtedly increase as the mine develops in the coming years. First ore First ore is expected in June this year, confirms Rothmann. Mining operations at this project commenced at the start of September last year fol- lowing the granting of a mining right and water use

Kobus Rothmann, Menar Group project manager.

Stripping of overburden and infrastructure construction continues at East Manganese.

16  MODERN MINING  March 2021