Walvis Bay earmarked for proposed electric vehicle battery plant

Green Metals Refinery Namibia (GMRN) plans to establish a manganese and sulphuric acid plant in Walvis Bay to supply materials for electric vehicle batteries.The company is currently undergoing an environmental impact assessment for the proposed plant, which will be located near the harbor town. GMRN plans to refine 25 000 tonnes of manganese in the first phase, targeted for completion in the first quarter of 2027, and 100 000 tonnes annually when the plant is fully commissioned in 2032, following a staged approach. The plant also intends to produce 500 tonnes of sulphuric acid in its first phase and 2 000 tonnes annually by 2032.GMRN describes itself as "a technology-led, midstream refining company focused on the production of low cost and low carbon high-purity manganese chemicals for the battery markets".In a background information document (BID), GRMN said it will procure high-quality manganese ore from existing mines in South Africa to produce refined battery-grade manganese products as feedstock for precursor cathode active material (pCAM), the company said in a background information document. Cathode material is used in the production of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) for the electric vehicle (EV) and stationary energy storage systems markets.Why Walvis BayThe company in its motivation to be situated in Walvis Bay, said its proximity to the port as well as access to reliable transport infrastructure count in its favour.Another motivation for its preference for Walvis Bay was due to its loading capacity and efficiency, GMRN said. “Namibia offers two options, namely the Lüderitz and Walvis Bay ports, with the latter having the greatest loading capacity and efficiencies.“GMRN will obtain its supply of manganese ore primarily from the Kalahari Manganese Field, located in the Northern Cape in South Africa. A well-established manganese export route to Namibia is already in place, using a combination of world-class road and rail transport links,” it said. GRMN said its choice of location was also based on Namibia’s ability to favourably produce renewable energy aided by the government’s intent to become a bulk exporter of green hydrogen. “Namibia has one of the world's highest direct normal irradiation values, which translates to solar energy available per unit area per year. Its government has a clear strategy to establish an integrated renewable energy system that will allow it to export renewable energy and green hydrogen,” GRMN said. Plant specifics According to GRMN, together with its refinery, the plant will also produce sulphuric acid necessary for the manganese leaching process. Surplus acid will be sold to Namibian industries.“The sulphuric acid plant is an essential part of the GMRN Project, primarily used for the reductive leaching of manganese ores in the refinery process. It is likely to be supplied as elemental sulphur from industrial producers, as is common in sulphuric acid plants,” GRMN said. On the staffing side, GRMN said the project will employ approximately 250 people, with up to 80 staff on duty at any given time during the operational phase. “The workforce will include managers, plant operators, shift bosses, engineers, laboratory technicians, maintenance staff and general hands,” GRMN said. Giving a timeline of production milestones, GRMN has earmarked the completion of pre-feasibility study by the third quarter of 2025 while pilot plant operationalisation is anticipated for the fourth quarter of 2025. GRMN intends to make a final investment decision by the second quarter of 2026, with the project expected to kick-off in 2026. The manganese and sulphuric acid plan is expected to be commissioned by towards the end of 2027.

Walvis Bay earmarked for proposed electric vehicle battery plant

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Namibian Sun 2025-04-03

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Walvis Bay earmarked for proposed electric vehicle battery plant

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Namibian Sun 2025-04-03

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