Australia-based mining company Kupang Resources has secured joint operation agreement (JOA) that enables access to the for the export of manganese by direct ship loading.

The JOA approval provides the company with a 12-month access to port facilities, allowing for the loading of 80,000 tonnes of manganese per month at Kupang project in West Timor, Indonesia.

"The Joint Operation Agreement allows for 5 days priority loading to a shared wharf at the deep water Tenau port in the Kupang harbor," the company stated.

Kupang has also announced that the company is in final stages of securing the necessary approvals for commissioning and initiating operations at its acquired processing plant.

The joint venture is expected to produce 30,000 tonnes of processed manganese oxide per month as per its own production license and Manganese Society supply agreement that would supply 30,000 tonnes of raw manganese.

Following the approval of JOA, the company stated that it is likely to become a potential producer besides expanding its exploration activities to other manganese projects.