During the first quarter, South32’s Australian manganese division produced 854,000 wet metric tons (wmt), bringing the company’s total manganese production to 1.4 million wmt. This exceeded Visible Alpha’s estimate of 1.23 million wmt and was significantly higher than the 597,000 wmt recorded in the same period last year.
The miner’s performance in Australia contrasted with its South African operations, where manganese output fell to 551,000 wmt from the previous year’s level. South32 noted that while its Australian operations benefited from improved logistics and infrastructure recovery, its South African mines continued to face operational challenges that constrained output during the quarter.
The sharp rise in production highlights the company’s ability to restore operations efficiently after severe weather disruptions. The completion of repairs and upgrades allowed South32 to ramp up exports of manganese, a key material used in steelmaking and battery manufacturing. The recovery in shipments also supported the company’s overall production momentum as global demand for industrial metals remains steady.
Despite the strong performance in manganese, South32 continues to face uncertainty surrounding its aluminum operations in Mozambique. The company said discussions to secure affordable electricity supply for the smelter have not advanced, leaving the future of the facility uncertain. South32 emphasized that the continuation of operations depends on reaching a sustainable power agreement, as energy costs represent a major portion of the smelter’s expenses.
South32, a diversified mining group headquartered in Perth, operates assets producing commodities such as manganese, aluminum, nickel, and coal across Australia, South Africa, and South America. The company’s recovery in Australian manganese output is expected to provide stability to its earnings and strengthen its export capacity in upcoming quarters.
The firm’s latest production figures reflect both the completion of restoration work following the cyclone and the improved resilience of its supply chain infrastructure. The strong rebound in manganese production has placed South32 ahead of market expectations and reinforced its position as one of the world’s leading producers of the metal.
As the company continues to stabilize operations across its global portfolio, it remains focused on managing external challenges such as power costs in Mozambique and optimizing output in South Africa. South32’s first-quarter results demonstrate its operational recovery and commitment to maintaining steady production growth across key commodities.
