Demand for aluminium is expected to rise thanks to the increased need for lightweight fuel-efficient metals in transportation, according to Mike Fraser, president and COO Africa at South32. “Our aluminium smelters in southern Africa are performing strongly,” he said. “Mozal Aluminium (situated just outside Maputo) recently set a new annual production record and our energy efficiency project will boost production with a gradual ramp-up to a 5% production increase between 2020 and 2024.” Fraser was also bullish about manganese. “Over the next few years we expect South African manganese ore to displace higher-cost lower-quality domestic ore in China and elsewhere.
