TSX-V-listed Giyani Metals, developer of the K.Hill battery-grade manganese project in Botswana, says the demo plant in Johannesburg, South Africa, is progressing efficiently through the commissioning phase.

Progress since the last report in October includes the completion of dry commissioning (C2) for the majority of systems, including the complex crystalliser, and progression through wet commissioning (C3).

The demo plant remains on track for production of battery-grade manganese (HPMSM) to start before year-end.

HPMSM produced from the demo plant will be provided for offtaker qualification.

The continuous process flow capability of the demo plant is a significant advantage, as it allows the team to operate the facility at steady state, enabling production of consistent specification HPMSM, a key requirement for potential offtake partners, Giyani points out.

Installation of the ISO-certified, independent laboratory is near-complete, indicated to be 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 original equipment manufacturer’s high-purity battery-grade manganese requirements.

As the demo plant is a smaller scale, direct copy of the proposed commercial plant that will eventually be built in Botswana, this significantly derisks 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 company highlights.

The commercial plant will be built adjacent to Giyani’s extensive 100%-owned manganese oxide ore sources in southern Botswana.

The demo plant enables final optimisation of the engineering design and flowsheet to reduce operating costs and carbon profiles, in parallel with the definitive feasibility study which is underway and expected to be completed in 2025.

CEO and president Charles FitzRoy informs that the company hosted its partners, the Industrial Development Corporation of South Africa, at the demo plant to showcase the progress made with the support of its $16-million facility.

“The results from the demo plant will ultimately yield significant strategic and operational benefits, and is a crucial step in the company’s mission to become a dominant producer of high-purity battery-grade manganese for the electric vehicles battery market,” he highlights.