South Africa's Manganese Metal Company (MMC) has entered into a significant energy supply agreement with NOA Group, aiming to source 70% of its electricity from renewable sources. This deal leverages NOA's portfolio of wind and solar facilities, which collectively have a capacity of 86 MW.
The agreement, which spans 20 years, will see NOA provide MMC with a renewable energy profile amounting to 245 GWh annually. This will be facilitated through Eskom's wheeling framework, enabling the distribution of electricity from multiple generation sites across South Africa. The arrangement aims to enhance energy reliability and flexibility, distinguishing itself from traditional energy supply agreements, which are typically tied to individual generation assets.
Karel Cornelissen, CEO of NOA Group, commented, “This Master Energy Supply Agreement (MESA) supports MMC's strategy to minimise its environmental impact by securing clean, renewable energy in alignment with the decarbonisation goals of its global customer base.”
MMC, a key player in the global manganese market and custodian of the world's largest manganese reserves, is committed to reducing its environmental footprint. The company produces high-purity manganese metal and manganese sulphate monohydrate, essential components for battery electric vehicles.
Bernard Swanepoel, Executive Chairman of MMC, stated, “This landmark agreement with NOA Group marks a significant step in MMC's sustainability journey, ensuring a reliable and renewable energy supply that aligns with our commitment to decarbonisation and environmental stewardship while reinforcing our role as the largest global supplier of high purity, selenium-free (99.9% Mn) manganese metal.
He further emphasized that the agreement would enable MMC's manganese sulphate product to be credited with industry-leading low carbon emission intensity.
As the sole non-Chinese producer of refined manganese metal, MMC is strengthening its position as a leading Western supplier of high-purity manganese products, crucial for battery production. This move reflects broader industry trends, where sectors like mining are increasingly adopting clean energy solutions to meet sustainability targets.
Cornelissen added, “Driven by the growing emphasis on environmental sustainability, mining and other industrial sectors are making proactive strides toward adopting clean energy solutions. By partnering with energy aggregators, such as NOA, these industries are not only securing material long-term energy savings, but also significantly reducing their carbon footprints.
