Menar gains critical rail access

Menar gains critical rail access

Menar has secured access to operate on parts of Transnet’s railway network in South Africa.

WhyAfrica unofficially kicks of our 2025 WhyAfrica Road Trip today. Although our trip departs officially only on Monday 1 September, we’re doing several interviews and site visits in the run-up this week.

Our first stop today is Menar House in Sandton, Johannesburg, for an interview with Vuslat Bayoğlu, Managing Director of Menar.  Mining and emerging ferromanganese group announced yesterday that it has secured conditional access to operate on parts of South Africa’s railway network.

Menar’s announcement follows hot on the heels of Transport Minister Barbara Creecy announcement late last week that Transnet will be granting rail network access to 11 private companies as part of the government’s reforms to improve economic efficiencies and increase rail volumes.

South Africa’s rail reform

This development marks a significant step in South Africa’s rail reform efforts.  Managed by the Transnet Infrastructure Manager (TRIM), this initiative enables third party access to the rail network, helping to ease bottlenecks that have hindered progress in the country’s logistics system in recent years.

Menar secured approved tonnages for three products: thermal coal, manganese ore, and manganese alloys. Bayoglu says the rail access will enable Menar to develop new mines and create much-needed jobs.

Furthermore, Menar’s newly established ferromanganese business, Khwelamet, also received a boost in TRIM’s inaugural rail access allocations.

The company’s approved access would allow it to transport manganese ore from the Northern Cape to Khwelamet’s industrial complex in Meyerton, Gauteng, for beneficiation. An additional allocation has been made to move manganese alloys from the Meyerton site to Durban.

Starting up Samancor Manganese

Bayoglu said this augurs well for Khwelamet’s plans as it prepares to refurbish and restart operations at the smelter complex previously owned by Samancor Manganese. The smelter complex has been under care and maintenance for a few years.

By granting rail access to move raw manganese ore from the mine to the processing site, TRIM has boosted confidence in Khwelamet, which is an important part of reindustrialisation.

“We have always believed that an efficient logistics system is an enabler of economic development. We look forward to working with TRIM to make sure the ongoing reforms bear the desired outcomes,” says Bayoglu.

Menar gains critical rail access