South32 lifts Australian manganese output as production guidance holds
2026-10-23 11:12:23 [Print]
South32 reported a 6% y-o-y increase in manganese ore production to 1.49 mnt (wet basis) in Q1FY27 (July-September 2026), compared with 1.405 mnt in Q1FY26. Higher output from Australian and South African operations supported the growth, although sales declined across both regions during the quarter.
Australia Manganese saleable production rose 15 per cent quarter-on-quarter to 902,000 wet metric tonnes, as higher utilisation of the primary processing circuit followed the easing of heavy rainfall in the previous quarter.
The company maintained Australia Manganese production guidance for the 2026-27 financial year (FY27) at 2.65–2.9 million wet metric tonnes. However, FY28 guidance remains subject to the receipt of required approvals and installation of additional water management infrastructure.
South African manganese ore production rose 7% y-o-y to 0.588 mnt in Q1FY27 from 0.551 mnt in Q1FY26, supported by improved underground productivity at the Wessels mine. South32 retained its FY27 production guidance at 2 mnt, while continuing to monitor market conditions and optimise the use of higher-cost trucking.
In contrast, sales declined 16% y-o-y to 0.460 mnt from 0.548 mnt a year earlier. South32 attributed the decrease to lower trucked volumes in response to market conditions and a shipment being deferred to the December 2026 quarter.
Australia Manganese saleable production rose 15 per cent quarter-on-quarter to 902,000 wet metric tonnes, as higher utilisation of the primary processing circuit followed the easing of heavy rainfall in the previous quarter.
The company maintained Australia Manganese production guidance for the 2026-27 financial year (FY27) at 2.65–2.9 million wet metric tonnes. However, FY28 guidance remains subject to the receipt of required approvals and installation of additional water management infrastructure.
South African manganese ore production rose 7% y-o-y to 0.588 mnt in Q1FY27 from 0.551 mnt in Q1FY26, supported by improved underground productivity at the Wessels mine. South32 retained its FY27 production guidance at 2 mnt, while continuing to monitor market conditions and optimise the use of higher-cost trucking.
In contrast, sales declined 16% y-o-y to 0.460 mnt from 0.548 mnt a year earlier. South32 attributed the decrease to lower trucked volumes in response to market conditions and a shipment being deferred to the December 2026 quarter.
Silico-manganese 65/17 IW Pittsburgh
Unit:USD/lb
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Unit: pcs
