Where Global Manganese Supply Concentrates: Analysis of the Largest Producer and Beyond

The world’s largest producer of manganese commands an outsized influence over global mineral markets. With market prices experiencing considerable fluctuations in recent years, understanding the geographic distribution of manganese production has become increasingly critical for investors and industry participants. In April 2024, manganese prices surged when Tropical Cyclone Megan severely disrupted the Groote Eylandt Mining Company (GEMCO) operations in Australia. However, market dynamics shifted as alternative supply sources ramped up and Chinese demand weakened, causing prices to retreat by September. As of the first quarter of 2025, manganese prices have remained relatively stable. Looking ahead, analysts view China’s economic recovery as a key factor that could support further price appreciation. While steelmaking remains the dominant end-use for manganese, the metal’s expanding role in lithium-ion battery production signals growing importance as the global green energy transition accelerates. Research by Benchmark Mineral Intelligence projects that manganese demand will expand eightfold between 2020 and 2030, driven primarily by the surging need for electric vehicle batteries.

The Multi-Faceted Applications Driving Manganese Demand

Manganese serves as a critical industrial metal across multiple sectors, with applications ranging from traditional heavy industry to cutting-edge battery technology. In steelmaking, manganese functions as an alloying element that enhances both the strength and malleability of this essential construction material. The metal also combines with aluminum for tin can manufacturing. Beyond these established uses, manganese dioxide and manganese oxide play important roles as cathode materials in zinc-carbon and alkaline battery production. Refined crude oil often receives manganese as a protective additive that coats and shields automotive engines.

The most promising frontier for manganese consumption lies in the lithium-ion battery sector. Lithium-nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) oxide batteries, which incorporate manganese, offer superior energy density and extended cycle life compared to alternatives. Electric vehicle manufacturers increasingly favor this battery chemistry. Additionally, manganese is being incorporated into lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) batteries to create lithium manganese iron phosphate (LMFP) formulations, which deliver enhanced energy density, storage capacity, and superior performance in cold temperatures. As EV adoption accelerates worldwide, battery-grade manganese demand is expected to intensify significantly.

Global Manganese Output: Identifying the Highest Producers

The nine largest manganese-producing nations account for the vast majority of the world’s supply, with a pronounced concentration among the top three producers. According to data from the US Geological Survey (USGS) and MiningDataOnline, the planet’s largest producer of manganese is South Africa, which alone generates more than one-third of global supplies. The following nations rank among the primary sources: Gabon, Australia, Ghana, India, China, Brazil, Malaysia, and Côte d’Ivoire. Understanding the production contributions and reserve positions of each nation provides essential context for supply chain resilience and long-term market dynamics.

South Africa: The Dominant Force in Global Manganese Supply

Production Volume (2024): 7.4 million metric tons
Estimated Reserves: 560 million metric tons

South Africa stands as the world’s largest producer of manganese by a considerable margin, yielding 7.4 million metric tons in 2024, an increase of 200,000 metric tons relative to 2023. The country’s dominance reflects not only its current output but also its vast reserve base of 560 million metric tons—representing 70 percent of confirmed global manganese ore resources. This reserve advantage ensures South Africa’s continued preeminence in supplying the global market for decades to come.

South32, a diversified mining enterprise, maintains a controlling 44 percent indirect stake in South Africa’s manganese operations located within the manganese-rich Kalahari Basin, operating alongside Anglo American, which holds 29.6 percent ownership. These operations encompass both the open-pit Mamatwan mine and the underground Wessels mine. Separately, Jupiter Mines operates the Tshipi Borwa property at 49.9 percent ownership—a mine ranked among the five largest manganese operations globally. The robust production infrastructure and advantageous geological endowment position South Africa as the primary guarantor of manganese availability for steel producers and battery manufacturers worldwide.

Secondary Production Centers: Gabon and Australia

Gabon (2024 Production): 4.6 million metric tons
Australia (2024 Production): 2.8 million metric tons

Gabon emerged as the second-largest contributor to global manganese supplies, generating 4.6 million metric tons in 2024. Situated on the central-western African coast, Gabon has become the origin point for 63 percent of US manganese ore imports. The Moanda operation serves as the nation’s flagship production facility, operated by Eramet through its COMILOG subsidiary. Eramet ranks globally as the second-largest high-grade manganese ore producer. The company temporarily halted Moanda production during the fourth quarter of 2024 in response to oversupply conditions affecting market pricing.

Australia contributed 2.8 million metric tons during 2024, holding steady relative to 2023’s output of 2.86 million metric tons. South32 commands a 60 percent ownership position in the GEMCO manganese operations in Australia’s Northern Territory—among the world’s lowest-cost manganese ore producers. Anglo American retains the remaining 40 percent stake. Damage to export infrastructure from Tropical Cyclone Megan constrained shipments throughout 2024 and into early 2025. South32 and Anglo American previously operated the Tasmanian Electro Metallurgical Company smelter but divested this asset to GFG Alliance in 2021.

Mid-Tier Producers and Emerging Capacity

Ghana (2024 Production): 820,000 metric tons
India (2024 Production): 800,000 metric tons
China (2024 Production): 770,000 metric tons
Brazil (2024 Production): 590,000 metric tons
Malaysia (2024 Production): 410,000 metric tons
Côte d’Ivoire (2024 Production): 360,000 metric tons

Ghana produced 820,000 metric tons in 2024, with mining concentrated in the western region near Takoradi. Consmin, a subsidiary of Ningxia Tianyuan Manganese Industry, controls 90 percent of Ghana Manganese Company, which operates the Nsuta mine. Consmin ranks among the planet’s four largest manganese producers by volume.

India generated 800,000 metric tons in 2024, an increase of 56,000 metric tons year-over-year. The majority of India’s manganese supplies feed domestic steelmaking demand. State-owned MOIL serves as the nation’s primary producer and operates the only domestic electrolytic manganese dioxide plant.

China’s 2024 output reached 770,000 metric tons, representing a modest increase from 2023 but reflecting a significant decline from 1.34 million metric tons produced in 2020. Production reductions stem from pandemic-related disruptions and recent cutbacks linked to weakness in the country’s property development sector. China simultaneously functions as a major manganese consumer for its own steel production. Large ore deposits were reportedly discovered in Guizhou Province in 2017 but remain undeveloped and unacknowledged by USGS tallies, which credit China with 280,000 metric tons of economic manganese reserves—the globe’s second-largest position. Firebird Metals is collaborating with a Chinese partner to develop a high-purity manganese sulfate monohydrate facility designed to supply EV battery manufacturers.

Brazil generated 590,000 metric tons in 2024, marginally exceeding 2023 production by 2,000 metric tons. Mining giant Vale previously dominated Brazilian manganese production, accounting for 70 percent of the market before divesting Center-West assets to J&F Investimentos in 2022. J&F’s subsidiary, Lhg Mining, resumed production at the Urucum underground mine in 2023, with parent company J&F committing to a US$1 billion investment program. Grupo Buritipar’s Buritirama Mining subsidiary represents another significant producer and has earmarked US$200 million for expansion in Pará state.

Malaysia contributed 410,000 metric tons in 2024, holding level with prior-year performance. The country has emerged as a specialized hub for ferromanganese alloy production, accounting for 24 percent of US manganese ferroalloy imports. OM Holdings’ Malaysian subsidiary, OM Sarawak, operates a smelting complex that produced 317,995 metric tons of manganese alloy in 2024.

Côte d’Ivoire generated 360,000 metric tons in 2024, nearly matching 2023’s 357,000 metric tons. The West African nation has substantially increased manganese extraction over the past decade, peaking at 525,000 metric tons in 2020. According to the nation’s Ministry of Economy, Planning and Development, four manganese mines currently operate: Bondoukou, Guitry, Kaniasso, and Lagnonkaha. The vast majority of Côte d’Ivoire’s manganese exports reach steel producers in China, followed by shipments to India and Latvia.

Key Questions About Manganese Markets

Is manganese classified as a metal?

Manganese constitutes an essential industrial metal. Bearing atomic number 25, this hard, brittle, silvery-hued element ranks second only to iron among transition metals in its natural abundance within Earth’s crust.

What role does manganese dioxide play in battery systems?

Historically, manganese dioxide has functioned as a depolarizer in alkaline battery formulations. However, contemporary attention focuses on lithium-ion battery chemistries incorporating manganese—particularly lithium-manganese oxide and NMC oxide variants. Within these systems, electrolytic manganese dioxide serves as the cathode material. For investors anticipating expanded battery sector demand, growing adoption of manganese-inclusive lithium-ion chemistries promises future market expansion.