Transnet and United Manganese of Kalahari (UMK) have signed a 10-year rail transport agreement for the movement of manganese from UMK’s Northern Cape mine to South African ports for export.
UMK becomes the first major mining company to enter into a long-term contract under the Manganese Export Capacity Allocation (MECA) 3 programme — an initiative by Transnet to allocate dedicated rail and port capacity for South Africa’s manganese exporters.
This agreement reflects UMK’s strong confidence in Transnet’s ability to deliver reliable, efficient logistics that connect South Africa’s mineral wealth to global markets. It also marks a significant step in improving long-term planning, capacity certainty, and supply chain efficiency in the manganese sector.
Transnet Group Chief Executive, Michelle Phillips said: “We are encouraged by the vote of confidence expressed by UMK through their long-term commitment as part of the MECA programme. This agreement is a clear demonstration of our customers’ confidence in the efficiency and reliability of our services. It also bodes well for Transnet’s growth and sustainability, which is underpinned by our ambitious Reinvent for Growth Strategy amid various reform initiatives within the freight logistics sector.”
Malcolm Curror, UMK Chief Executive Officer, said that reliable rail freight services remain a key contributor to South African industry. “By enabling the efficient movement of bulk commodities such as manganese, MECA not only positively adds to our national export capability but also to a greater competitive revitalisation of the country’s logistics network.” He added that this is essential for sustaining economic growth and attracting further investment across all sectors.
Curror further noted that the MECA agreement holds significant and broader relevance to current national dialogue regarding the mining sector in South Africa.
