Due to its chemical properties, manganese is an important metal that is used in various battery types such as nickel-manganese cobalt or lithium-manganese batteries. Along with nickel, it is an important battery raw material to reduce the cobalt content. A large part of manganese ore imports to Germany comes from the Netherlands South Africa. Mining in the region leads to water shortages and pollution of water, air and soil. Manganese is mainly mined in open pit or underground mining, but at the same time there is a threat of mining so-called manganese nodules in the deep sea.
In the publication ‘The unknown manganese – destruction on land and threat in the deep sea?!’, we use visualizations, statistics and quotes to show why the raw material urgently needs to be included in the amended Battery Ordinance. This project was funded by the Federal Environment Agency and the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection. Funding is provided by decision of the German Bundestag.
The responsibility for the content of this publication lies with the authors.
