"The feedback from the DEA is constructive and we believe that the requested modifications will result in improved versions of our proposed EMPs," CEO Robin Birchall said.

The plans cover the previously-mined Otse, Lobatse and Kgwakgwe Hill, now referred to as K.Hill, prospects.

Giyani intends to process already stockpiled material from K.Hill and Otse into direct shipping ore.

It has a preliminary economic assessment slated for completion next quarter for K.Hill, which has an inferred 1.1 million tonne resource at 31.2% manganese oxide.

The company signed a non-binding term sheet for a US$1 million convertible loan facility with Traxys Africa Trading in January, which gives Traxys exclusive rights to market all the DSO manganese material from the K.Hill and Otse reclamation prospects.

Traxys will also be granted right of first refusal to provide additional debt financing for K.Hill, with Birchall telling Mining Journal earlier in January that going to the market for their cash was still not the right move, as the Canadian market had been dominated by the crypto then cannabis sentiment, and Botswana's market was more interested in wealth preservation than investment.
 
Giyani changed its stock symbol earlier this month from WDG to EMM to indicate its plans to produce high-purity electrolytic manganese metal (EMM) for the battery electric vehicle market.

Its shares last traded at C16c, towards the lower end of its 52-week range, to capitalise it about $13 million.