Transnet has entered a 10-year agreement with United Manganese of Kalahari (UMK) for the rail transport of manganese ore from the Northern Cape to South African ports for export.
The agreement is part of Transnet’s allocation mechanism for export-oriented producers, aimed at streamlining outbound logistics for the mining sector. It includes commitments on transport volumes and infrastructure access.
UMK becomes the first major mining company to commit to a long-term transport contract under the MECA 3 framework. The agreement formalises its logistics corridor for the coming decade and anchors its manganese shipments on Transnet’s freight rail network.
MECA 3 is designed to coordinate capacity among eligible producers while optimising utilisation of rail and port infrastructure. The arrangement plays a role in managing demand for limited capacity in South Africa’s bulk commodity corridors, particularly in regions such as the Northern Cape where manganese mining activity has grown.
The contract follows Transnet’s broader “Reinvent for Growth” freight reform programme.
