TSX-V-listed Giyani Metals has commenced advanced commissioning at its demonstration plant in Johannesburg, marking a key step toward producing its first battery-grade manganese from ore sourced at the K.Hill manganese project in Botswana.
The hot commissioning phase progressed significantly in January, with initial sample production expected before March for qualification trials by potential offtakers.
Built at a 1:10 scale of the planned commercial plant in Botswana, the demo plant serves as a testing and optimization facility, helping Giyani mitigate risks and refine operations ahead of full-scale construction, commissioning, and ramp-up.
The plant’s findings will also inform the definitive feasibility study (DFS) on K.Hill, expected for completion by year-end.
Giyani has already secured a special economic zone (SEZ) license for its commercial plant, granting fiscal incentives, including a 5% corporate tax rate for the first ten years of production.
The company will attend the Investing in African Mining Indaba in Cape Town next week, engaging in strategic meetings with offtakers, investors, and industry stakeholders.
CEO and President Charles FitzRoy praised the technical and operational teams for their skill and resilience in overcoming typical late-stage commissioning challenges, including power outages, water supply disruptions, control system issues, and supply chain delays during the holiday period.
The demo plant consists of nine modular process units, each housed within a self-contained system, and is undergoing metallurgical testwork to optimize the flowsheet, reduce reagent consumption, and enhance operational efficiency.
