Manganese's atomic number is 25 and its symbol is Mn. Manganese is a transitional metal that is often combined with other metals to create stainless steel. It is hard but brittle. Manganese compounds can readily be found in the topmost layers of the earth’s crust. Manganese is capable of forming oxides with vibrant magenta hues as well as a variety of greys. This capability was utilized by many ancient civilizations in glassware and paintings. Manganese has been found in cave paintings that are over 24,000 years old. About 80% of the known world manganese resources are in South Africa with a total estimate of 15 billion tons. This amount pales in comparison to the estimated 500 billion tons of manganese nodules on the ocean floor. However, because it is not feasible to collect it from the ocean floor, South Africa remains the leading source of global manganese.
