Giyani Metals
Giyani Metals is focused on becoming one of Africa's first low-carbon producers of high-purity manganese sulphate monohydrate (HPMSM) for the electric vehicle market, with its flagship K.Hill project in Botswana.
Company Overview
Giyani Metals is focused on becoming one of Africa's first low-carbon producers of high-purity manganese sulphate monohydrate (HPMSM), a key material for lithium-ion batteries used in electric vehicles. The company is engaged in developing high-quality manganese oxide assets within the Kanye Basin, located in south-eastern Botswana. Giyani Metals adheres to international environmental and social standards, specifically the Equator Principles 4 (2020).
K.Hill Project
Giyani Metals' flagship K.Hill project is situated near the town of Kanye in Botswana. This project is expected to become a large-scale producer of HPMSM, with an annual production capacity of approximately 80,000 tonnes. The K.Hill project has a base case post-tax NPV8 of US$984 million and a post-tax IRR of 29.4%. The project’s lifespan is estimated at 57 years, with total project production of 3,561 Kt of HPMSM. It benefits from good rail and road connections, adequate water supply, and reliable power connectivity.
Demonstration Plant in South Africa
Giyani Metals is constructing a demonstration plant in South Africa that is expected to produce up to 600 kg/day of HPMSM by the second half of 2023. This facility will serve as a crucial step in establishing the company’s position as a significant player in the HPMSM market. The demonstration plant will utilize a low-carbon emissions HPMSM processing route that is fully hydrometallurgical and avoids energy-intensive calcining or electrowinning.
Environmental and Regulatory Approvals
The K.Hill project has received environmental authorization and has submitted a mining license application. The project's Environmental Management Plan, approved by the Department of Environment in July 2019 and renewed in May 2021, outlines several environmental objectives, including project-specific environmental and social impact assessments, energy efficiency initiatives, and water usage optimization. In August 2021, the final approval was granted for the Environmental Management Plan of Giyani's Lobatse manganese deposit in Botswana.
Financing and Investment
Giyani Metals has secured US$16 million in development financing from the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) and closed a US$10 million investment from ARCH. Additionally, the company has received in-principle project finance support from the Export Credit Agency of the Netherlands. These financial backing efforts strengthen the company’s ability to advance its K.Hill project and other strategic initiatives.