Manganese is the 4th most used metal by gross weight after iron, copper, and aluminum, and is primarily used to increase the strength of industrial steel, the production of stainless steel, and in lithium-ion batteries. South Africa is both the largest producer of the metal and the holder of the largest economic reserves, mostly located within the Kalahari Desert. The country produced 7.4 million tons in 2021 and is thought to have 640 million tons of manganese in reserve, Gabon and Australia come 2nd and 3rd in annual production with 3.6 million tons and 3.3 million tons in 2021. Manganese ore (38%) from South Africa costs just $5 per ton. The main market for manganese is in steelmaking, where manganese…