09 Oct 2025

Success of Kgwakgwe Hill Battery Grade Managanese project is set to position the nation well and tap into the highly lucrative Electronic Vehicle market.

Acting director of Mines at the Department of Mines Mr Kenalemang Charles revealed this when briefing Kanye district leadership recently.

Mr Charles indicated that this was due to an increase in electric vehicle production in the automotive industry as part of a global move towards decarbonisation and electrification.

He stated that Menzi Battery Metals, a subsidiary of Giyani Metals had recently been awarded a mining license to mine manganese at Kgwakgwe Hill near Kanye.

The mining license he said, was for a period of 15 years commencing from July 30, 2024 to August 29, 2039.

Mr Charles said Giyani Metals had developed a bespoke process that could produce high–purity managanese sulphate monohydrate (HPMSM) directly from the high grade Kgwakgwe Hill manganese oxide (MnO).

HPMSM is a refined precursor material used to produce cathode powders for lithium-ion batteries for use in electric vehicles.

The project has a demo plant in Johannesburg, intended to derisk the construction of the full scale commercial plant. Menzi Battery Metals project development is anticipated to commence early 2026, with full production in 2028.

Mr Charles stated that the construction phase looked at employing approximately 300 people whereas the production operation compliment was expected to drop to around 150 employees as most of the process was automated.

The aim he said was to mine and produce batteries locally as a move to create job opportunities.

At the current moment the project employed 17 people, who are all Batswana. Out of the total, seven are permanent employees and 10 sub-contractor owners.

He indicated 20 per cent of the total workforce were women adding that the majority of the subcontractors’ total workforce was from within Kanye catchment area.

During comments, Councillor Tebogo Thebeyame of Lodubeng wanted to know if they had quantified materials produced and batteries made as much as profit made at the demo plant. 

He also asked if the company had been given a waiver from paying tax locally and  expressed concern that the country had lost a lot on issues of exploration.

Therefore, he requested an update on the amount that Botswana had been paid in terms of royalties and tax since the commencement of the demo plant in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Furthermore, he requested an update on plans made to relocate people residing in the peripheries of the mine arguing that the economic factor was crucial but human life was much more important.

Councillor Mothibinyane Kelesitse of Marapalalo Ward asked if it was not costly to transport materials from Botswana to South Africa.

Councillor Kelesitse also wanted to know if they could be allowed to access the impact assessment report as councillors.

Moreover, Councillor Themba Stimela of Molapowabojang West asked if there was any assurance that the demo plant in South Africa would cease operations once the local plant start operations.

In response Mr Charles stated that royalties should be paid in terms of the Minerals Act, indicating that they would be paid looking at the value derived.

He also indicated that the Environmental Impact Assessment had been done, saying it was now a public document. In addition, he noted that consultations with all stakeholders were complete.

Mr Charles stated that the company had already started filing returns emphasising that all companies awarded a mining license were expected to file monthly returns. ENDS