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Marking a major milestone in its strategic rollout, Giyani Metals Corp. has delivered its first high-purity manganese oxide (HPMO) samples from its demonstration plant in Johannesburg to several potential offtakers for testing and qualification.
HPMO is a key precursor for producing high-purity manganese sulphate monohydrate (HPMSM), a vital input for electric vehicle (EV) and energy storage system (ESS) battery chemistries including lithium-manganese-iron-phosphate (LMFP), lithium-manganese-nickel-oxide (LMNO) and nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC).
Giyani aims to begin HPMSM production in the third quarter of this year, with offtake qualification trials to follow. The company’s ability to produce both HPMO and HPMSM positions it with product flexibility and a competitive edge as demand grows for diverse battery technologies.
“Our demonstration plant has reached a critical operational objective. Delivering HPMO to offtakers validates our technology and brings us closer to commercialisation. The plant continues to prove the viability of our flowsheet at scale and the team has done a fantastic job in de-risking the planned commercial plant in Botswana,” said Charles FitzRoy, Chief Executive Officer of Giyani .
The demonstration plant is one of the only facilities outside of China to produce HPMO at this scale, making Giyani a frontrunner in the global battery materials sector. The operation is providing essential insights into scaling the process and enhancing product purity while reducing waste and emissions. The company has also identified a valuable by-product that could further strengthen its economic model.
As a result of lessons learned during commissioning and optimisation, Giyani has adjusted its development timeline. HPMSM production is now scheduled for Q3 2025, with the definitive feasibility study (DFS) expected in Q1 2026. Construction of the full-scale commercial facility in Botswana is planned for 2027, with production ramp-up targeted for 2028/29.
FitzRoy added that emerging developments in high-manganese battery chemistries such as Ford and GM’s lithium-manganese-rich breakthroughs underscore the strategic importance of Giyani’s positioning. He noted, “These chemistries require significantly more manganese than current NMC batteries. Our dual-product capability ensures we can adapt and deliver across multiple battery platforms.”
Giyani’s progress has attracted growing interest from industry stakeholders, reinforcing its ambition to become a leading supplier of battery-grade manganese as global demand accelerates.
