2025 Annual Conference - Tokyo, Japan


Tokyo, Japan
Tuesday, June 3 to Thursday, June 5
We are happy to confirm that the International Manganese Institute (IMnI) conference in Japan is scheduled from Tuesday, June 3 to Thursday, June 5, with optional technical visits to Manganese plants on Friday, June 6.
For additional information on the event and future IMnI events, contact us at imni@manganese.org or follow us on LinkedIn or X
When registering for the IMnI Conference 2025 in Tokyo, make sure that you are covered by your company’s travel insurance during your trip and stay in Japan.

IMnI 2025 Annual Conference is scheduled from Tuesday, June 3 to Thursday, June 5 in Tokyo, Japan.
When registering to the IMnI conferences, make sure that you are covered by your company’s travel insurance during your trip and stay abroad.

Alex Puissant
Alex Puissant, a Brussels journalist, is a prominent international conference facilitator. As a foreign correspondent, editor and news anchorman, he has ensured television news coverage, including live comments and interviews, from around Europe and the USA.
As an independent conference moderator, he has chaired hundreds of sessions and panel discussions with speakers as diverse as Vaclav Havel, Margaret Thatcher, and Bill Gates. He has worked for global corporations and associations as well as European Union institutions and the United Nations Organization in New York.
Alex Puissant, a graduate of the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism in the City of New York, is the author of “The press, a voice on behalf of the citizen?” on social responsibility of the media, published on behalf of the King Baudouin Foundation.

Robert Ward
Robert Ward is Director of Geo-economics & Strategy and Japan Chair at The International Institute for Strategic Studies, one of the world’s leading authorities on global security, political risk and conflict.
Before joining the IISS in 2019, Robert was the Editorial Director at The Economist Intelligence Unit where he led the EIU’s country, industry and data analysis and forecasting teams. Robert joined the Economist Group in 1997.
After graduating from Cambridge University in 1989, Robert went to Japan where he lived and worked until 1996. Robert also studied in the Soviet Union in 1986.

Kevin Fowkes
Kevin Fowkes has worked as an economist and consultant in the ferroalloy industry since 1998.
From 2007 to 2009, Kevin Fowkes was a business development manager in the metals division of Privat Group. Before that he was the senior market analyst for the Norwegian ferroalloy group Elkem, and a consultant for Hatch Beddows and CRU International.
From 2009 to 2023, he ran AlloyConsult, his own company, providing bespoke consulting services to the ferroalloy industry. In 2023, Kevin joined Wood Mackenzie as a Research Director in the company’s Steel Alloys team. Kevin is a graduate of the London School of Economics.

Steven Vercammen
Steven Vercammen is a senior expert in McKinsey & Company’s Belgium Office. Since he joined in 2004, he has worked on steel and steel value chain related projects (carbon and stainless steel).
Whilst early on focusing on operational improvement, market analysis (supply/demand) and technical benchmarking, in recent years Steven has specialized in sustainability topics related to the steel industry with a specific focus on circularity and secondary supply. As part of the global steel industry dynamics knowledge, Steven is the global expert on steel metallics dynamics covering scrap supply, demand and pricing evolution and decarbonization.
In addition, Steven is global research leader for steel and metals in general, responsible for proprietary knowledge assets linked to cost curves, demand, supply, capital markets and overall market dynamics.
Prior to joining McKinsey, Steven worked at the KU Leuven university as the “science engineering technology” group manager responsible for research strategy, educational programs and day to day management of all support functions. Steven has obtained a PhD in materials engineering (steel) from the KU Leuven and obtained engineering masters diploma from the university of Ghent in Belgium.

Han Lu
Han Lu is a Senior Editor with S&P Global Commodity Insights’ Asia metals pricing team. Her key markets coverage includes Platts’ copper, manganese, aluminum and molybdenum oxide assessments in APAC.
She has presented at various conferences and forums and has published numerous reports, features, podcasts, and other thought leadership content related to these markets.
Han Lu has 15 years working experience in the commodity industry with 4 years in oil, 6 years in iron ore and 5 years in metals. Prior to Platts, she was a trader in the industry and held positions looking at market risk and market research.

Dr Doreen McGough
Dr Doreen McGough has over 20 years' work experience in the industry, 14 of which have been spent dealing solely with Manganese. She was HSE Director of the International Manganese Institute (IMnI) from 2009-2017, where she had the responsibility of enhancing industry’s understanding of the toxicological/ecotoxicological profile of many Manganese-based substances and the corresponding risks and benefits associated with their use.
As the Institute’s chief scientist, Dr McGough published over 10 peer-reviewed articles concerning Manganese. Alongside her work at the IMnI she worked for the Manganese REACH Administration (MARA) on lease as its main scientific advisor where she eventually became the Secretary General in 2017 to Present.
As the Secretary General of MARA, Doreen manages and works with over 10 health/safety and regulations consulting firms worldwide made of some 20 renowned scientists. Their work mainly focuses on supporting the metal industry towards smooth regulatory compliances. An Anglo-Cameroonian, Dr McGough holds a BSc in biology, an MSc in environmental pollution control, and a doctorate in environmental toxicology from the University of Nottingham (UK) where she began her career as a lecturer.

Agnieszka Leopold
Dr. Agnieszka Leopold holds a Master of Science in Engineering in Chemical Technology from the Poznan University of Technology in Poznan, Poland and a PhD degree in Chemical Process Engineering from the Technical University of Catalonia in Barcelona, Spain.
She has an extensive knowledge of the world of chemistry gained having worked in the following fields: research and development in chemical engineering, chemical products safety and regulatory affairs compliance, intellectual property (patents, trademarks, confidential agreements) in chemistry.
Agnieszka is the HSE and Regulatory Affairs Manager of the IMnI.

IMnI
Miao Yu started at the International Manganese Institute in 2021 as Market Research Analyst, and is in charge of collecting information on the Manganese, steel and battery markets, in China and in the rest of the world.
Autlán
is a Mexican company engaged in several markets of MANGANESE and ENERGY, among other industrial sectors. The company was founded in 1953 and has been recognized as a reliable supplier because of its high-quality products and commercial service.
Regarding manganese, Autlán is the largest producer of manganese ferroalloys in the Americas, the most important producer of manganese ore in North and Central America and one of the few producers of Alkaline EMD in the western world.
Autlán is focused on fulfilling the manganese needs from the steel industry as well as the specialized manganese requirements from the alkakine & dry battery, ceramic and micronutrient producers. The company owns three manganese mining units and three ferroalloy plants in Mexico, as well as an EMD plant in Spain.

Nippon Denko
established in 1925, will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2025. Since its founding, the company has consistently manufactured manganese ferroalloys and has continued to supply high-quality ferroalloys as the leading supplier in Japan. Furthermore, it has applied its core electric furnace and metallurgical technologies to a wide range of fields, leading to continuous development.
Currently, in addition to the Ferroalloy business, Nippon Denko, supplies various advanced functional materials through its Functional Materials business, including electronic component materials and battery materials. The Aqua Solutions business also contributes to the circulation of water and resources with its "wastewater treatment equipment," which purifies and recycles wastewater, and provides cutting-edge technology with its "pure water production equipment," which supplies high-purity water. Through its Incineration Ash Recycling business, it recycles incineration ash using electric furnaces. Additionally, through its Electric Power business, it supplies clean electricity. Through these five businesses, Nippon Denko contributes to the development of society.

Ore & Metal Company Limited
is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Assore Group, providing sales, marketing and logistics services. Our expertise, high-quality products, on-the-ground presence, and relationships have distinguished us from the competion for over 90 years.
We are an agile team with a global footprint. We have the best-in-class marketing offices in locations worldwide such as North America, Europe, Africa, India, and Asia.
Over the past decade, we have strenghthened our position through the strategic acquisitions of our agency partners. This collaboration has enabled us to establish a robust on-the-ground presence in global markets. Together, we offer comprehensive and integrated services within the mining sector including marketing, selling commodities, managing consignments, and providing logistics and shipping solutions covering rail, road, port, and ocean freight. We also handle commodities' storage, processing, and delivery to meet our customers' specifications and quality requirements.

Transalloys
is a well-recognized supplier of siliconmanganese and medium carbon ferromanganese globally, and the only siliconmanganese producer in South Africa. The production plant is situated 14 km west of eMalahleni (Witbank) and approximately 90 km east of Pretoria, in the Mpumalanga Province. Manganese ore used in the production process comes from the Northern Cape Province of South Africa, which is known to contain 75% of the world’s identified manganese ore reserves.
The company was acquired in 2007, and as a result of the concerted effort by the Transalloys’ management team and the employees, the productivity and output of the plant were increased by 50% without the addition of any additional smelting capacity. The plant has the capacity to produce approximately 180 000 tonnes of manganese ferroalloys per annum.
The plant itself dates back to the mid-1960’s when the first two furnaces were built, with three more furnaces being added over the following three decades. Currently, there are 5 submerged arc furnaces, with capacity ranging between 22 and 48 MVA. An UHT oxygen blown converter was added in Q3 of 2022. MCFeMn is produced on a campaign basis, with one of the SiMn furnaces periodically converted to HCFeMn production, which serves as feedstock to the converter for conversion to MCFeMn.
The standard grade siliconmanganese contains a minimum of 16.5% of silicon, 65 to 67% of manganese and a maximum of 2% carbon. Medium carbon ferromanganese contains a minimum of 80 % manganese, less than 1.5 % carbon and less than 1.0 % silicon.
Transalloys is a sponsor the IMnI 2024 Annual Conference which will take place in Tokyo, Japan.

Tshipi é Ntle Manganese Mining Proprietary Limited
is an independently operated and managed, black empowered manganese ore producer. Tshipi é Ntle means “beautiful steel” in the local Tswana language.
Tshipi is not only the largest single manganese mine and exporter from South Africa but is also one of the five largest manganese ore exporters globally.
Based in the Kalahari Manganese Field (KMF), the largest manganese-bearing geological formation in the world, Tshipi Borwa Mine is a shallow open-cast operation developed on a large and homogenous ore body.

Sarda Metals & Alloys Ltd.
is one of India’s largest producers of manganese alloys and a trusted supplier to major steel manufacturers worldwide. Known for its commitment to quality, the company plays a critical role in providing high-grade manganese alloys essential for steel production. With a state-of-the-art facility in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, Sarda operates 3x36 MVA furnaces, which enable an annual production capacity of 150,000 metric tons. This positions Sarda as one of India’s largest alloy producers, playing a key role in the global steel industry.
Sarda Metals has earned ISO certifications for its production facilities, including ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001, and ISO 50001. These certifications reflect the company’s commitment to quality, environmental management, occupational health and safety, and energy management. The company’s high-quality standards are further ensured by its NABL-accredited lab and BIS certification, which guarantee that the products meet international quality benchmarks. Additionally, Sarda has been recognized with a 3 Star Export House status by the Ministry of Commerce, Government of India, underscoring its strength in international trade.
Committed to continuous improvement, Sarda Metals has been implementing Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) since 2019. The company aims to achieve the prestigious Japan Institute of Plant Maintenance (JIPM) Award, further enhancing its manufacturing capabilities. This dedication to operational excellence is reflected in the significant achievements and national-level recognition it has received, including strong commitment and notable accomplishments in TPM, awarded by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).
With exports to over 62 countries, Sarda Metals has earned the trust of steel producers across the globe. The company’s vision is to lead the manganese alloy industry through innovation, excellence, and sustainable growth, setting new industry benchmarks and driving the future of manganese alloy production worldwide.

South32
South32 is a globally diversified mining and metals company. We produce commodities including bauxite, alumina, aluminium, copper, silver, lead, zinc, nickel and manganese from our operations in Australia, Southern Africa and South America.
With a focus on growing our base metals exposure, we also have a development project Hermosa in North America and several partnerships with junior explorers around the world.

World Metals & Alloys FZC (WMA)
Established in 2006 in the United Arab Emirates in the most vibrant business destination is an ISO certified trading house of various ferro alloys, minerals, metals, ores, scraps, coal, coke, refractories, and other steel raw materials.
WMA is a market leader and a preferred source for its customers.

QVC Group
a global industry player with over 20 years of experience, is dedicated to optimizing your steel manufacturing operations. Our unwavering commitment to quality, reliability, and customer satisfaction has earned us the trust of 585+ partners worldwide.
Key Advantages of Partnering with QVC Group:
Uninterrupted Supply: Our robust supply chain ensures timely deliveries, minimizing production disruptions
Uncompromising Quality: Rigorous quality control measures guarantee the highest standards, adhering to ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001 : 2015 and ISO 45001 : 2018
Cost-Effective Solutions: We leverage our global network to offer competitive pricing without compromising quality.
Expert Technical Support: Our experienced team provides comprehensive support, from shipment planning to real-time updates.
Environmental Responsibility: We prioritize sustainability and adhere to ISO 14001:2015 and ISO 45001:2018 standards.
Global Reach: Our extensive network spans across the globe including Southeast Asia, the Middle East, USA, India, Europe, Africa, and Latin America.
We would also like to take this opportunity to inform you that QVC Exports Limited has recently launched its maiden IPO and is now a publicly listed company on National Stock Exchange of India (NSE Emerge).
While the quality of our products and services has always been a top priority, this milestone further reinforces our commitment to maintaining the highest standards.
The trust and confidence our business partners have placed in us have only been strengthened by our new status.
We look forward to the opportunity of serving you and contributing to the continued success of your business.
You can also check out our website at: http://www.qvcgroup.com
Highlights from Our NSE Listing Ceremony: https://bit.ly/492p2Xs
We invite you to explore how QVC Group can elevate your Ferro Alloy procurement process. Please visit our website at http://www.qvcgroup.com

Champion Minerals
is a leader in premium manganese alloys production in Zambia, specializing in Ferro Manganese and Low Boron Silico Manganese. With cutting-edge technology and a skilled team, it delivers world-class quality to clients globally, including robust supply chains to Japan, Americas, Asia, and Europe. Our expert team of technocrats ensure consistent, reliable service as per customized requirements.
Company website: https://www.championalloys.com/

United Manganese of Kalahari (UMK)
is a proud South African company committed to mining manganese ore in the John Taolo Gaetsewe District Municipality, situated in the Northern Cape Province. The Kalahari manganese fields, where we operate, are acknowledged as the largest manganese ore deposit in the world, showcasing a remarkable natural treasure globally.
Established in 2005, UMK has proudly been 51% black-owned and is the fourth largest manganese exporter in South Africa. Our mineral reserves for open-pit mining are more than sufficient to sustain this responsible mining operation for over 30 years!

Hanwa Co., Ltd.
Founded in 1947, Hanwa Co., Ltd. is a general trading company, which handles a wide range of commercial materials, including steel, various metals, foods, energy, living materials, machinery, and housing materials.
In particular, the primary metal division, which handles various metals, is focusing on expanding raw material trading with customers in the steel industry. We contribute to the sustainable development of social and economic infrastructure by providing a stable supply of regionally uneven metal resources such as Manganese, Nickel and Chromium to customers in Japan and around the world. In addition, we are building a unique stable supply system that can respond immediately to customer needs worldwide by actively investing in major resource countries such as Indonesia, South Africa, and Malaysia, and acquiring exclusive sales rights for steel, stainless steel, specialty steel, and foundry customers.
Currently, we are particularly focused on expanding our business in Southeast Asia, the U.S., India, and Europe based on the knowledge and schemes we have gained from our strong and stable supply system in Japan.

Companies already registered:
AlloyConsult
Bihar Foundry and Casting Ltd.
Black Canyon Ltd.
BloombergNEF
CCMA, LLC
Champion Minerals Limited
DPRC S.L.
Estrella Resources Limited
Felman Trading Europe AG
Ferroglobe
Giyani Metals Corp.
Glencore International AG
Global Sea Mineral Resources
GoodEarth | GoodRock
Hanwa Co., Ltd.
Hascor International Group
Hira Power and Steels Ltd.
IMnI
JFE Mineral & Alloy Company, Ltd.
Jupiter Mines Ltd.
LCIB
Maa Enterprises
Manganese Metal Company (MMC)
Manganese REACH Administration (MARA)
McKinsey & Company
Minerais US
Musamu Resources Ltd
Nexus Manganês SA
Nippon Denko Ltd.
Ntsimbintle Holdings (Pty) Ltd.
OFZ, a.s.
OM Holdings Ltd.
Omni Industries BV
Ore & Metal Company Ltd.
Ore & Metal Europe Trading
Ore & Metal International
Ore & Metal SA
Ore & Metal Singapore JV Pte Ltd.
Project Blue
QVC Group
Ramnik Power and Alloys Pvt. Ltd.
Ronly Ltd.
RWE Supply & Trading
S&P Global Commodity Insights
S.H. Bell Company Ltd.
Sarda Metals & Alloys Ltd.
Satka Group
Shyam Ferro Alloys Limited
Shyam Sel and Power Limited
South32
SPS Steels Rolling Mills Ltd.
The International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS)
Transalloys
Traxys Europe S.A.
Tshipi é Ntle Manganese Mining Proprietary Ltd.
United Manganese of Kalahari (Pty) Ltd.
Vibrantz Technologies
World Metals & Alloys (FZC)
