Facts, page-43

You appear to be quoting an article dated 4 years ago, but I can answer your question quoting the Timor Smelter Study dated 3 years ago:

Manganese ores for the processing and smelting business will be purchased from a number of local and overseas suppliers.

In the first year, high grade manganese ores will be purchased and treated via a jigging process to produce lump manganese ore. This will be exported to provide early cash flow whilst the first smelter is being built.

To optimise the smelting process high grade ore will be purchased locally from artisanal miners and others in Timor. The manganese ores in Timor are typically high grade, approximately +50%Mn and make ideal smelter feed. The local Timorese manganese ores are typically low in iron content, <2% Fe, and as such iron units need to be added.

To supplement the local manganese ores, other manganese ores will be purchased from Africa. This will be lower grade manganese units but importantly will include medium levels of iron. Iron units are an important component in the smelting process to ensure the product specifications are met with respect to manganese grade.

GMC will also enter into a supply agreement with a South African group for the supply of up to 80,000 tonnes per annum of high iron manganese ore from its South African operations.

The balance of the ore supply, up to 220,000 tonnes per annum, will be sourced locally in Indonesia and Timor Leste.