The Hermosa project, an advanced mining development project in the United States, seeks manganese and zinc production. To achieve this, South32 has announced the receipt of a $20 million grant through the battery production program under the Defense Production Act(DPA) of the Department of Defense.
Manganese production
The US$20 million grant is intended to accelerate the domestic production of manganese for batteries. This grant will be supplemented by a $43 million investment from South32 to fund accessibility to the ore body.
In addition, Graham Kerr, South32’s chief executive officer, said that funding from the Department of Defense will support the development of the Hermosa manganese deposit Hermosa project’s manganese deposit, the only one in the United States, which has demonstrated its ability to produce battery-grade manganese.
The Hermosa project, intended to be located in southern Arizona, is the first critical mineral exploration and extraction development to be part of the U.S. FAST-41 permitting process.
The supply of critical minerals to the United States
Among the words of the president of the Hermosa project, Pat Risner, he emphasized that this development represents an opportunity for the country to generate supply chains of minerals and metals essential for national security, reducing dependence on foreign countries. The funding from the Department of Defense will allow the development of the extraction of this important mineral.
In addition, the funding will make it easier for Project Hermosa to move forward with its plans to introduce battery manganese to the North American market, including end users designated by the Department of Defense, in anticipation of a significant increase in demand in the coming years.
This will also provide a reliable and cost-effective domestic option for manganese products in the electric vehicle battery supply chain, which is currently completely dependent on other countries.
The carbon footprint impact of the Hermosa project
The Hermosa Project manganese deposit is expected to have a lower carbon footprint, relative to other manganese production methods, such as the electrolytic manganese metal(EMM) production process, known for its high energy consumption.
The Hermosa project covers 750 hectares and is projected to consume 75% less water than other mines in the region, minimizing its environmental impact. The exploitation of the project’s zinc and manganese deposits will contribute to the development of the economy, creating up to 900 related employment opportunities.
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Source: South32
Photo: Shutterstock
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