Transnet and Tshipi é Ntle Sign 10-Year Manganese Export Deal to Boost South Africa’s Global Supply Chain
South Africa’s state-owned rail company, Transnet, has signed another ten-year, third-phase Manganese Export Capacity Allocation (MECA3) agreement—this time with Tshipi é Ntle Manganese Mining, owner of the Tshipi Borwa mine in the Northern Cape.
Tshipi Borwa is a shallow open-pit operation with an integrated ore processing plant, situated in the 400 km² Kalahari manganese field northwest of Kathu, one of the richest manganese deposits globally.
MECA3 is Transnet’s programme for allocating long-term rail and port capacity to manganese producers, ensuring South Africa’s competitiveness in global markets while supporting economic growth and industrial development.
The agreement with Tshipi é Ntle follows similar ten-year deals signed in recent months with United Manganese of Kalahari and Hotazel Manganese Mines—the latter operated by South32’s South African subsidiary, which owns the Wessels and Mamatwan mines, also in the Kalahari basin.
Through the latest deal, Tshipi é Ntle secures reliable rail and port access, enabling it to meet rising global demand for manganese while supporting South Africa’s role as a key supplier.
Transnet Group CEO Michelle Phillips highlighted the importance of aligning logistics and mining strategies:
“This long-term agreement will not only facilitate consistent delivery to international customers but also strengthen confidence in South Africa’s ability to serve global markets,” Phillips said in a media release.
Tshipi é Ntle CEO Ezekiel Lotlhare described the agreement as a continuation of a decade-long partnership that has provided the company with a stable logistics platform to drive growth, create value for stakeholders, and support host communities.
The name Tshipi é Ntle means “beautiful steel” in Tswana—a reflection of manganese’s vital role in strengthening and hardening steel.
While steelmaking accounts for most demand, manganese is also used in batteries, glassmaking, ceramics, and even human health, where it supports bone development and metabolism.
The manganese deal comes just a week after Transnet signed a coal rail agreement with Exxaro Resources to support the turnaround of its Leeuwpan mine in Mpumalanga.
Exxaro is also moving into manganese through a planned R11.67–14.68 billion acquisition of significant stakes in Tshipi é Ntle and other assets, including Ntsimbintle Marketing and Trading, Mokala Manganese, Jupiter Mines, and Hotazel Manganese Mines. The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of next year.
Meanwhile, South Africa’s Transport Minister Barbara Creecy is negotiating contracts with 11 private train operators to expand access to the state-owned rail network, signalling broader reforms in the sector.
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