Batteries are crucial to our advanced energy future, and innovations in batteries won’t be possible without battery grade metals. That’s why the U.S. Department of Energy awarded $166 million to South32’s Hermosa project, an advanced mining project capable of producing two federally critical minerals – manganese and zinc. The award will support the development of a state-of-the-art, commercial-scale manganese production facility. The battery-grade manganese that Hermosa will produce helps ensure a viable domestic battery materials supply chain for electric vehicles.
Once in peak operations, Hermosa will create up to 900 good-paying jobs for the local community.
There is currently no manganese ore mining within the U.S., so supporting projects like Hermosa will help reshore battery-metals supply chains and ensure access to the resources needed for innovations in energy.