By Industry Correspondent – Thandi Maseko
Mantengu: Africa Faces Iron Supply Chain Gaps Amid Booming Global Market
As the global steel market hurtles toward a $2.6 trillion valuation by 2034, demand for metallic iron is rising sharply and Africa is waking up to its own supply chain gaps.
Enter Mantengu Mining.
High-Grade Metallic Iron Production Gets a Boost in Africa
In February 2025, Mantengu acquired the Masorini Iron Beneficiation (MIB) plant in Limpopo for R18.97 million after it entered final liquidation. The plant uses proprietary tech to convert superfine waste iron ore into high-grade metallic iron using low-cost thermal coal. Its modular design makes it relocatable, cheap to operate, and relatively low on emissions.
Mantengu Set to Become Key Scrap Substitute Provider Across Africa
Previously valued at over R210 million in asset terms, the plant came with access to 240 million tonnes of waste ore in Phalaborwa. Mantengu’s board believes it will become a key provider of scrap substitutes for steelmakers across Africa and beyond.
Africa’s Iron Industry Poised for Growth with MIB Expansion
Mantengu is in the process of finalizing the acquisition of IMBS’s 62.7% stake in MIB, pending the outcome of a proposed Section 155 compromise under the Companies Act. The acquisition is expected to follow once the financial restructuring plan is approved, allowing the company to fully consolidate control over the plant. Discussions with the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC), which owns the remaining 37.3%, are ongoing, with both parties exploring a cooperative model to expand MIB’s production capabilities. The expected result is a reinforced role for Mantengu in the metallic iron market, with significantly increased beneficiation capacity and localized economic development.
Turning Waste into High-Grade Iron: A Green Steel Expansion
This isn’t just a rescue deal, it’s a strategic expansion into clean, scalable industrial production. By converting low-value waste into high-grade iron, Mantengu positions itself at the centre of green steel’s supply equation.
Tackling Africa’s Scrap Metal Shortage with Low-Emission Iron
The move also helps address the continent’s chronic scrap metal shortage. As traditional sources of scrap dry up, low-emission alternatives like MIB’s output will be key to feeding future smelters and electric arc furnaces.
Limpopo Could Lead the Future of Sustainable Steel
Environmental advocates are watching closely. If the tech works at scale and emissions remain below traditional blast furnace benchmarks, this may be the future of sustainable steel and it starts in Limpopo.
Shifting South Africa’s Industrial Policy Through Local Beneficiation
Mantengu’s decision to double down on beneficiation, rather than export raw ore, also reflects a long-overdue shift in South African industrial policy. If MIB becomes the blueprint, Mantengu may end up shaping national strategy not just quarterly earnings.
Boosting Sustainable Steel Production in Limpopo
In February 2025, the Masorini Iron Beneficiation (MIB) plant in Phalaborwa, Limpopo, was acquired for R18.97 million, marking a major step in addressing Africa’s growing demand for sustainable steel.
The MIB plant uses innovative technology to convert superfine waste iron ore into high-grade metallic iron with low-cost thermal coal. Its modular design allows flexible deployment, reducing both production costs and emissions compared to traditional methods. With access to 240 million tonnes of waste ore, the plant aims to become a key supplier of scrap substitutes for steelmakers across Africa and beyond, supporting local economic development and environmental sustainability.
For more details, visit Mining Weekly: MIB’s Iron Beneficiation Plant Acquisition
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