09 Oct 2025

The success of Kgwakgwe Hill Battery Grade Manganese project is expected to put the country in a good position to tap into the highly lucrative Electronic Vehicle market.

Briefing the Kanye District leadership recently, acting director of Mines in the Department of Mines Mr Kenalemang Charles said there had been an increase in electric vehicle production as part of a global move by the automotive industry towards decarbonisation and electrification.

He stated that Menzi Battery Metals, a subsidiary of Giyani Metals was recently awarded a mining license from July 2024 to August 2039 to mine manganese at Kgwakgwe Hill near Kanye.

Mr Charles said Giyani Metals has developed a well refined process that could produce high–purity manganese sulphate monohydrate (HPMSM) directly from the high grade manganese oxide (MnO) found at Kgakgwe Hill.

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

The project, anticipated to commence early 2026 with full production set for 2028, has a demo plant in Johannesburg, intended to de-risk the construction of full scale commercial plant. 

Mr Charles stated that approximately 300 people would be employed during the construction phase, while the production operation compliment would see a drop to around 150 employees as most of the processes would be automated.

He said the project would see batteries mined and produced locally as a move to create job opportunities.

The project currently employs 17 people who are all Batswana. Out of the total, seven are permanent employees and 10 sub-contractor owners.

Twenty per cent of the total workforce are women, while the majority of the subcontractors’ total workforce is from within the Kanye catchment area.

Councillor Tebogo Thebeyame of Lodubeng ward asked whether materials produced and batteries made, as well as profit made at the demo plant had been quantified. 

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

He therefore 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 whether it was not costly to transport materials from Botswana to South Africa. He also wanted to know if they could be allowed to access the Environmental Impact Assessment report as councillors.

Moreover, Councillor Themba Stimela of Molapowabojang West wanted to know whether there was any assurance that the demo plant in South Africa would cease operations once the local plant started operations.

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

He also assured council that the Environmental Impact Assessment was conducted and 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