Even though lithium has been a key player in the electric vehicle (EV) market, we could say goodbye to lithium in favor of a certain type of material that will power up our next generation of mobility. The rival resource to lithium is silently threatening lithium’s strong position in the EV market due to the fact that 400,00,000 tonnes of this material have been confirmed in a mining reserve. All in all, this means that lithium’s dependence can be reduced, and perhaps the future of EVs won’t be guided by mineral scarcity and higher costs due to maximal battery costs.
A mineral contender challenging the EV market
Although lithium has also been seen as synonymous with the EV market, manganese seems to be gaining increased attention due to its strengthening properties. While manganese is often linked with steelmaking, the lithium-manganese oxide and nickel-manganese cobalt chemistries have become rather exciting for the EV market.
Aside from the composition of manganese, the interest in this mineral is because it is available and more stable geopolitically in comparison to lithium. There is one particular mine in a certain country that holds the potential of more or less 433 million tonnes of manganese ore, and this country’s mineral wealth could surely reshape the EV battery market completely.
What the 400,000,000 tonnes of resource could mean?
More than 4 million tonnes of raw manganese ore have been found in its purest form. The availability of the ore means that the manganese found has not been refined into a final product just yet. The ore itself is so interesting since manganese has its place in the steel industry and in battery cathodes. A base for the next generation of EVs has as such been established.
Manganese is highly beneficial and has some advantages over its lithium counterpart. This resource is said to be:
- Far less toxic.
- Easily recyclable.
- Found abundantly and thus is more cost-effective.
- Does not require extraction processes that are water-intensive.
The manganese deposit found in one country makes this country a key supplier in the clean energy economy. While Australia, Chile, and China have all become well-known for their lithium deposits, the country where manganese is abundantly found will find its way onto the EV map, too.
Counting down the days to say goodbye to lithium
EV manufacturers themselves are considering alternative materials that can ensure a longer lifespan whilst being available at a lower cost. In fact, the interest in manganese-based batteries has already been piqued. The interest in this alternate mineral is due to the realization that EVs that cost much less can be produced if the move from lithium batteries is made.
Further interest by China in the perfect battery made of living beings very well initiated the end of lithium for EV batteries, but considered bacteria-powered batteries too. With manganese now being abundantly available, Tesla and BYD will look towards manganese batteries as well.
Looking at the Mamatwan Mine for manganese ore
Where is this Mamatwan Mine located? The Mamatwan Mine can be found in South Africa. In the Northern Cape’s Kalahari Basin lies about 80% of the world’s manganese ore. The Mamatwan Mine is part of the Hotazel Manganese Mines (HMM) consortium, which is operated by South32 Ltd. in partnership with Anglo American Plc and local Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) entities.
An estimated 433 million tonnes of manganese ore, which is believed to be found in the Mamatwan Mine, makes it one of the largest manganese mine deposits in the world. This discovery, however, ties in with the need to find alternative EV battery options other than lithium. South Africa has always been known as a mining country, but perhaps the country will become more well-known for its role in EV battery technology in the near future. South Africa, along with Searles Lake, which contains the most strategic mineral deposit beneath it, could soon spell the end of lithium’s dominance.
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