Modern Mining October 2020

MANGANESE

The first box cut was opened on 4 September 2020.

First ore expected in 7 – 8 months at Menar’s East Manganese Following the latest round of regulatory approvals, diversified mining investment group, Menar, has commenced mining operations at East Manganese, the company’s first manganese asset located near the Northern Cape town of Hotazel. Having opened the first box cut at the start of September, Menar chairperson Mpumelelo Mkhabela tells Munesu Shoko , the first ore is expected in seven to eight months.

I n what is the company’s first foray outside its tra- ditional mainstay of coal and anthracite in South Africa, Menar Group has commenced mining oper- ations at East Manganese following the recent granting of a mining right and a water use licence. Having purchased East Manganese from Southern Ambition in September 2018, the R250‑million project, part of Menar Group’s planned R7-billion investments, was granted environmental authorisation in February 2019,

which the authorities have acted in granting us all the regulatory approvals. To fast-track economic recovery, the government should promote a con- ducive environment for investment to flourish. This can be achieved by, among other things, eliminat- ing bureaucratic red tape, fast-tracking of licensing of businesses and easing the regulatory compliance regime,” he says. Mkhabela adds that speedy regulatory approv- als are critical in unlocking the investment spend in the country, creating economic growth opportuni- ties for host communities and the country at large. He is especially impressed by Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation Minister Lindiwe Sisulu’s recent undertaking to continuously improve turnaround times for applications. Mkhabela also has praise for the Competition Commission, which swiftly granted competition approvals during Menar’s acquisition of the East Manganese project. The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy also did its part, with the quick granting of a mineral right. “There is an attempt in some sectors of the government to try and fast-track regulatory approvals. They have to be encouraged to do more of that,” he says. Project in detail East Manganese Mine will be an opencast mine with a single mining pit, which is located on a small 50 hectare (ha) portion of the total 1 000 ha min- ing right area. The remaining unused portion of the

followed by the mining right in August 2019. The latest in a series of regu- latory approvals is the water use licence, which was granted in September this year. The com-

pany has, therefore, received all authorisations, paving the way for mining operations. Menar chairperson Mpumelelo Mkhabela commends the speed with which the regula-

tory approvals were granted, in spite of the challenges brought about by the COVID-19 influenced lock- down. “We laud the swiftness with

22  MODERN MINING  October 2020