CBAM and Northern Cape Mining: Manganese, Iron Ore, and the Kalahari Exporters
The Northern Cape is South Africa's mining heartland, home to the world's largest manganese reserves and significant iron ore deposits. This guide covers the CBAM implications for Northern Cape mining exporters.
CBAM and Northern Cape Mining: Manganese, Iron Ore, and the Kalahari Exporters
The Northern Cape is South Africa's mining heartland, home to the world's largest manganese reserves, significant iron ore deposits, and the country's largest solar energy potential. For CBAM purposes, the Northern Cape's manganese and iron ore industries are among the most strategically important in South Africa.
The Northern Cape Mining Landscape
The Northern Cape's mining industry is anchored by three major commodity groups:
1. Manganese (Kalahari Manganese Field) The Kalahari Manganese Field, centred around Hotazel, contains approximately 80% of the world's known manganese ore reserves. Key producers include Assmang, South32, Kalagadi Manganese, and United Manganese of Kalahari (UMK). Annual production is approximately 16–18 million tonnes of manganese ore.
2. Iron Ore (Sishen and Khumani) The Northern Cape hosts South Africa's largest iron ore mines — Sishen (Kumba Iron Ore/Anglo American) and Khumani (Assmang). These mines export approximately 50–60 million tonnes of iron ore annually, primarily to Asian markets. Iron ore itself is not currently covered by CBAM.
3. Diamonds (Kimberley and Namaqualand) The Northern Cape is home to significant diamond production, including the historic Kimberley mines and the Namaqualand coastal deposits. Diamonds are not covered by CBAM.
CBAM Exposure for Northern Cape Miners
Manganese ore producers — Not yet formally covered by CBAM, but Phase 2 inclusion is expected. Producers should begin tracking embedded emissions now.
Ferromanganese and silicomanganese producers — These downstream products are under active Phase 2 review. SA smelters processing Northern Cape manganese ore into ferroalloys face the most immediate CBAM exposure.
Iron ore producers — Not currently covered by CBAM. However, if SA iron ore is processed into pig iron or direct reduced iron (DRI) before export, those products are covered.
The Northern Cape's Renewable Energy Advantage
The Northern Cape has a unique advantage in the CBAM era: it has the highest solar irradiance in South Africa, making it the ideal location for large-scale renewable energy development.
Mining and processing operations in the Northern Cape can access renewable electricity through:
- ▸On-site solar PV — The Northern Cape's abundant sunshine makes on-site solar generation highly cost-effective
- ▸Renewable PPAs — Several large solar farms are operating or under development in the Northern Cape
- ▸Green hydrogen — The Northern Cape is a key location for SA's green hydrogen strategy, which could supply clean energy to mining operations
For a complete CBAM compliance registration pathway, visit the Digital Product Passport Registry.
Frequently Asked Questions
Complete all three compliance gates — Gate 1 KYC identity verification, Gate 2 CBAM financial authorisation, and Gate 3 Digital Product Passport registration — in one place at the DPP Registry.
Start Three Gates Registration →