Giyani Metals Corp. President and CEO Charles FitzRoy said the company’s demonstration plant in Johannesburg is firmly in the commissioning phase, and is on target to deliver the first production of battery-grade manganese.
CEC Engineering fabricates crystalliser towers for the project.
Giyani is a company that aims to become a player in the battery metals sector. The company is currently focused on the development of its K. Hill, Lobatse & Otse manganese oxide projects in the Kanye Basin of Botswana. Each of those projects has seen historic mining activities. The flagship K. Hill project is a near-surface deposit currently winding its way through a feasibility study.
Giyani Metals Corp’s demonstration plant in Johannesburg is firmly in the commissioning phase
Giyani has developed a hydrometallurgical process to produce high-purity manganese sulphate monohydrate, a lithium-ion battery precursor material that is critical for electric vehicles directly from ore extracted from its manganese oxide deposits in Botswana. The projects are wholly-owned by Giyani’s subsidiary Menzi.
The demonstration plant will produce battery-grade manganese for qualification testing by potential customers. As the demo plant is a smaller-scale, direct copy of the proposed commercial plant (to be built in Botswana), this significantly de-risks the project as Giyani will better understand how the commercial plant will respond in advance of construction, commissioning and ramp-up of that facility, which is planned for 2027. The commercial plant will be constructed adjacent to Giyani’s manganese oxide ore sources in Botswana.
Ruland Munz, General Manager at CEC Engineering said the company was honoured to contribute to the K.Hill Battery-Grade Manganese Project for Giyani Metals Corp.
CEC Engineering received an order from MET63 (Pty) Ltd to manufacture and assemble the crystalliser towers outside the building and install interconnecting piping between the indoor and outdoor sections
“CEC received an order from MET63 (Pty) Ltd to manufacture and assemble the crystalliser towers outside the building and install interconnecting piping between the indoor and outdoor sections.”
“The journey began with the fabrication, painting, and assembly of three crystalliser towers at our facility in Vereeniging, Gauteng. These towers, completed for Process Plant Technology (now JordProxa), stand 15.5 metres tall and were fully equipped with process equipment, pumps, motors, cat ladders, and interconnecting piping. Once assembled, the modules were shipped to the site with most equipment securely in place on the skids, significantly simplifying on-site assembly.”
“Skids and other equipment were fabricated in our facility while we assembled the remaining parts of the plant inside the building. The absence of overhead cranes presented a unique challenge. All tasks relied on forklifts and telehandlers, requiring meticulous planning and precision. Efficient sequencing of activities was essential to prevent workspace constraints. As the skids were positioned, our teams installed mechanical equipment and interconnecting piping, ensuring seamless integration.”
Overcoming challenges
“Like any large-scale project, this endeavour presented various challenges. However, our team’s expertise and dedication enabled us to address each obstacle efficiently, ensuring steady progress throughout the project lifecycle.”
The fabrication, painting, and assembly of three crystalliser towers took place at CEC Engineering’s facility in Vereeniging, Gauteng. These towers stand 15.5 metres tall
“The project commenced in May 2024 and reached completion with final sign-off in October 2024. The size of our team varied based on project demands, ranging from approximately 20 members to a peak of 40 during intensive phases. All phases were critical and complex.”
“We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Pieter and his team for their remarkable dedication and effort. Their commitment was pivotal in achieving the project’s success and reinforcing CEC’s reputation for delivering high-quality results.”
“Finally, we express our sincere gratitude to our clients – JordProxa Africa, MET63, and most importantly, the end client, Giyani Metals Corp – for placing their trust in CEC. It was a privilege to contribute to this significant project, showcasing our expertise in fabrication and site assembly.”
Giyani Metals Corp said the process flow capability of the demo plant is a significant advantage, as it allows the team to operate the facility at a steady state, enabling production of consistent specification HPMSM, a key requirement for potential offtake partners.
The demonstration plant will produce battery-grade manganese for qualification testing by potential customers. As the demo plant is a smaller-scale, direct copy of the proposed commercial plant (to be built in Botswana), this significantly de-risks the project as Giyani will better understand how the commercial plant will respond in advance of construction, commissioning and ramp-up of that facility, which is planned for 2027. The commercial plant will be constructed adjacent to Giyani’s manganese oxide ore sources in Botswana
Installation of the ISO-certified, independent laboratory is near completion, a key component for offtake testing. The on-site lab forms another key part of the demo plant’s ability to produce a consistent specification product, as it enables the team to continually test and adjust if necessary to ensure Giyani’s HPMSM meets the strict criteria of the OEM’s (original equipment manufacturer) high-purity battery-grade manganese requirements.
Giyani was in the news late in 2023 when it announced the signing definitive agreements for a US$16 million financing from the Industrial Development Corp. of South Africa Ltd. (IDC). The financing takes the form of convertible loan facilities. The company said the IDC financing was the cornerstone of a US$26 million funding package that will progress the company’s K. Hill manganese Project in Botswana to a final investment decision.
