Menar Gains Critical Rail Access

On 22 August 2025, Transport Minister Barbara Creecy announced the granting of rail network access to 11 private companies as part of the government’s reforms to improve economic efficiencies and increase rail volumes.

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, one of the companies granted access, has secured approved tonnages for three products: thermal coal, manganese ore, and manganese alloys. Vuslat Bayoglu, Menar’s managing director, said he was pleased by the allocation and undertook to ensure that the company met its commitments to TRIM. “We are grateful for the access because it will enable us to start new mines and create much-needed jobs,” Bayoglu said.

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.

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,” Bayoglu concluded.

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