[Ferro-Alloys.com] South32：Manganese Ore Quarterly Activities Report

South32 Chief Executive Officer, Graham Kerr: “Another strong quarter of operating performance saw our net cash position increase by US$299M to US$252M.

“Production highlights year to date include an 18 per cent increase in copper and a six per cent increase in aluminium as Mozal Aluminium managed the impacts of civil unrest in Mozambique and approached nameplate capacity in the quarter.

“We continue to unlock value at our operations, commencing our Worsley Mine Development Project following environmental approval by the Australian Government, and progressing toward the resumption of export sales from Australia Manganese, which remains on track for the June 2025 quarter.

“At Hermosa, construction of our large-scale, long-life Taylor zinc-lead-silver project continues to progress, with sinking of the main shaft on track to commence in the June 2025 quarter.

“Looking ahead, our focus on operating discipline, active cost management and a strong balance sheet leaves us well positioned to manage a period of potential uncertainty in global markets.”

• Australia Manganese has installed all major structures for the wharf and is on track to recommence export sales in the June 2025 quarter. A further US$100M (100% basis) of external insurance payments were approved in the quarter

AUSTRALIA MANGANESE (60% SHARE)

Australia Manganese continued its operational recovery plan following the impacts of Tropical Cyclone Megan in the March 2024 quarter and remains on track to resume export sales in the June 2025 quarter.

We continued a substantial dewatering program, and completed construction of a critical bridge that connects the northern pits of the Western Leases mining area and the process plant during the quarter. Mining continued at limited rates in line with the operational recovery plan and dewatering requirements. The primary concentrator was paused having established stockpiles ahead of the wet season. FY25 production guidance remains unchanged at 1,000kwmt, with the primary concentrator to restart in the June 2025 quarter.

Construction of all major structures for the wharf was completed following the end of the quarter. Export sales are on track to recommence in May 2025, subject to no further impacts over the remainder of the wet season, and return to normalised

es over FY26.

SOUTH AFRICA MANGANESE (ORE 54.6% SHARE)

South Africa Manganese saleable production decreased by 5% (or 83kwmt) to 1,558kwmt in the nine months ended March 2025, following planned maintenance at Mamatwan in the March 2025 quarter and a temporary shut at Wessels in the prior quarter. FY25 production guidance remains unchanged at 2,000kwmt.

Sales decreased by 18% in the March 2025 quarter as port congestion impacted the timing of shipments.

Operating Performance

• [Editor:tianyawei]