Security of Manganese Resources and Industrial Chain in China

Manganese is an important strategic mineral resource. China is the world’s largest consumer and importer of manganese resources. However, problems including shortage of manganese ore resources, severe overcapacity, manganese slag pollution, and scattered and disorderly development, have created significant pressure on domestic manganese ore resources and threatens the security of the industrial chain. This paper reviews the industrial supply chain of manganese ore resources and materials in China from five aspects: resource, smelting, material, product, and recovery ends, and discusses the development status, prospects, green and low-carbon development, structural adjustment, and manganese resource reserve of the manganese industry in China. Furthermore, we propose the following suggestions: (1) implementing a green development path to realize comprehensive utilization of manganese slags; (2) establishing a safe and controllable resource supply system by guaranteeing the domestic manganese resource reserve; (3) improving industry concentration and optimizing manganese industry structure; and (4) increasing investment in scientific research on manganese resources while promoting the transformation of scientific and technological achievements.