Transnet Freight Rail’s (TFR) manganese export project in partnership with Kalagadi Manganese has yielded positive rewards for new local emerging miners.
This was disclosed during a pledge signing ceremony attended by key industry stakeholders and project beneficiaries at the Yacht Club in Cape Town on the first day of the Mining Indaba 2024.
TFR made 2mtpa of rail and port capacity available to emerging miners in April 2023, while Kalagadi Manganese provided the miners with access to its state-of-the-art rapid load-out station so that they could benefit from the TFR allocation.
The partnership between TFR and Kalagadi Manganese that was formalised on the side lines of last year’s Mining Indaba allowed emerging miners use of the facility at the coal face of Kalagadi Mine Farm in Hotazel in Northern Cape, at a capped reduced fee. The facility turns around Transnet trains in less than four hours, against the rail service design of 12 hours.
TFR chief commercial officer Bonginkosi Mabaso said the project, a transformation first, promoted a more inclusive and competitive environment.
“The access to the common user facility ensures that emerging miners, who would not have been able to raise the required capital for investment in a loading facility, are accommodated on the rail. This is critical to the Manganese Export Capacity Allocation (MECA) III project.”
Chairperson and founder of Kalagadi Manganese, Daphne Mashile-Nkosi said she hoped the cooperation model would be adopted throughout the industry.
“This model showcases the power of working together and leveraging collective expertise and resources to create greater opportunities for growth and success, not only benefiting the individual organisations involved, but also positively impacting the industry as a whole.”
