THE Port Elizabeth bulk terminal successfully concluded its annual ten-day maintenance shutdown to ensure the handling of manganese for the next twelve months. This was a planned initiative carried out in agreement with customers where bulk handling equipment like tipplers, stackers, reclaimers, ship-loaders, feeders and over ten kilometres of conveyor belt systems were serviced.
According to Transnet, the terminal has an annual handling capacity of six million tons of manganese. The industry continues to grow, with increased global demand. Managing executive of the Eastern Cape terminals at Transnet Port Terminals, Wandisa Vazi said it was important to ensure that the maintenance works started as scheduled and that the working environment was safe for employees. “The plant has to operate at acceptable levels and sustain export activities and this is why we plan this shutdown thoroughly,” she said. Vazi commended the work of the engineering team as they executed all required tasks on time.
The primary objective of the maintenance shutdown was to raise levels of equipment reliability and availability. The Port Elizabeth bulk terminal is a crucial part in the export of manganese as it contributes to economic growth in the region and the country. South Africa is home to more than 70% of the world’s highest-grade manganese. Most of the country’s manganese is exported through the Eastern Cape terminal, although the manganese mines are located in the Northern Cape. China, India, Japan, Ukraine and South Korea are among the world’s top manganese consumers.
