Diversified South African-based resources group Exxaro Resources has successfully concluded a transaction to partner with Assmang to commercialise Exxaro’s AlloyStream^® technology which allows for the beneficiation of manganese ore into high carbon ferromanganese. Major benefits of the AlloyStream technology include significantly lower electrical consumption and the use of unagglomerated fine feed materials, as well as the fact that lower quality coal can be used as a reductant.

Exxaro’s manganese beneficiation development started in 2001 when initial positive test results led to further investigations to validate the technical and commercial viability of the technology. Subsequent development and test work has included more than 7,300 hours of successful operation using various feedstock types during five campaigns, the longest of which ran continuously for nearly six months.

“The immediate focus of the joint AlloyStream and Assmang project team will be to work towards the commissioning of an upgraded and larger demonstration facility in Pretoria in 2012 and to conduct an accurate assessment of the technology’s viability on a commercial scale over the next three years,” said Ernst Venter, Exxaro’s Executive General Manager for business growth.

Depending on the successful demonstration of this technology the parties will then decide on the future exploitation, to beneficiate manganese ores which are currently not beneficiated. The parties are of the opinion that massive value unlocking potential exists within South Africa and the rest of the world with the application of this technology.