South Africa's Economy
Platinum, Gold and Mining Today
How South Africa's mining has shifted from gold to platinum group metals, coal and others, and the challenges of labour conflict and regulation.
Mining remains important to South Africa.
Changing minerals
- Gold output has fallen sharply from its peak as mines deepened.
- South Africa holds most of the world’s platinum group metals (PGMs), used in car catalytic converters and hydrogen technologies.
- Coal for power and export.
- Manganese, chrome and iron ore.
Marikana
In August 2012, police shot dead 34 striking miners at Lonmin’s Marikana platinum mine, a turning point that exposed labour tensions and inequality.
Challenges
- Rail and port bottlenecks at Transnet limiting exports.
- Electricity shortages.
- Illegal mining (zama zamas) in abandoned mines.
- Regulatory uncertainty.
Critical minerals
Demand for PGMs and manganese for clean energy offers opportunities.
EVs and platinum
The shift to battery EVs, which don’t need catalytic converters, threatens platinum demand, though hydrogen could create new uses.
A coal mine has ore ready for export, but Transnet's rail line can't carry enough trains, so the mine cuts production.
Platinum group metals, coal and others now matter more.
- Gold output has declined sharply.
- South Africa holds most platinum group metals.
- The 2012 Marikana killings exposed labour tensions.
- Rail, power and illegal mining are challenges.
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