Diversified miner South32 has posted a 21% year-on-year increase in manganese output from its South African mines to 2.26-million tonnes for the year ended June 30.

The JSE-, ASX- and LSE-listed miner has a 44% interest in two manganese mines – Mamatwan and Wessels – in South Africa, based in the Kalahari Basin of the Northern Cape province, coupled with a 60% interest in an alloy smelter near Meyerton, in Gauteng.