TPT granted operating licence for manganese export terminal

This will enable the company to commence with the development of an R8bn bulk minerals export terminal, set to handle its first vessel in February 2019.

"It's all systems go for us to relocate our Port Elizabeth manganese operation by the 2018/19 deadline," said Karl Socikwa, chief executive of TPT. "We will operate the existing two deep water dry bulk berths C100 and C101 at the Port of Ngqura while the full expansion project ramps up to meet an anticipated throughput demand of 16mt per annum by 2020 and thereafter to 22mt if required."

TPT have invested in additional capital for minor refurbishment of the total plant at the Port Elizabeth terminal to sustain the current plant capacity until the anticipated Ngqura manganese export terminal start-up. The annual Port Elizabeth terminal shut-down commenced on 11 August 2015 and coincides with the TFR and manganese industry shut-downs.

Minimising disruption

"An innovative plan to minimise the disruption of manganese exports during the relocation has been devised and shared with our mining clients. It includes directing some of the ore through Saldanha and Durban and containerising it, among other things," Socikwa said.

The confidence shown in TPT's ability to operate the new manganese terminal stems from, amongst other, the company having operated the Port of Ngqura's container terminal since its inception.

Job opportunities have also been identified resulting from the construction of the terminal and the need for various new terminal operations positions are predicted due to the threefold increase in volumes. Terminal infrastructure at the port will comprise of new bulk materials handling equipment, including stockyard, stackers, reclaimers and surge bins, roads, infrastructure services and buildings, as well as a train marshalling yard with an unloading system.

Engineering designs for the Ngqura manganese export terminal project are expected to be completed by November 2015. Thereafter, the project will progress to construction which is expected to be completed around the end of 2018.