This letter reports on the site configuration of implanted Mn cations in ZnO. The samples studied were obtained by means of ion implantation in m-plane ZnO single crystals. Synchrotron radiation based fluorescence shows no contamination during the implantation process. The results of micro-x-ray absorption spectroscopy indicate that Mn ions are located in substitutional sites without detectable traces of secondary phases. The postgrowth thermal annealing in O ₂ atmosphere induces a change in the coordination of a large amount of Mn cations, corresponding to α- Mn ₂ O ₃ .