An under-construction manganese-to-silica processing plant in Angola is due to start operations in 2025. The $250 million project is being developed through a joint partnership between Angolan company MN kKitota, Chinese firm ST New Materials Lda and fuel supplier Kwanza-Norte Fuel Facilities.
In its first phase, the facility will produce silica manganese, with subsequent phases set to produce ferrosilicon, ferromanganese, fertilizers and pig iron. The factory also has the potential to produce ammonia and cement.
“We are encouraging [the production] tof ferromanganese and ferrosilicon, which is used in the diamond industry. This compound is imported in Angola and, if we can achieve local production, we will also be able to start exporting it,” stated Angola’s Minister of Mineral Resources, Oil and Gas Diamantino Azevedo during a working visit to the site
According to MN Kitota CEO Hélder Milagre, construction of the facility will result in the creation of one thousand jobs upon start-up of the factory by mid-2025. Furthermore, it was noted that the manganese-to-silica factory will encourage economic diversification and the emergence of other industries in Angola as a result of intermediate product development from the facility.
