Pgm mining in south africa is located in the bushveld complex in three regions commonly referred to as the western, eastern, and northern limbs. The 6th international platinum conference, platinummetal for the future, the southern african institute of mining and metallurgy, 2014. This enables a progressive method of mining which includes the drilling of the reef and blasting it to advance the face. The report includes commentary on the main participants in south africas platinum industry, other platinum producers, and exploration and development companies. South africa has an abundance of mineral resources, which is a direct source of foreign investment. Today, the mining industry remains one of the biggest contributors to the countrys economy with an estimated worth of r20. Africa on 24 july 2007, over 100 residents of ga puka and ga sekhaolelo the mohlohlo community filed a lawsuit in the high court transvaal provincial division, against potgietersrust platinums ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of anglo platinum on and nine other defendants including the south african government. Sibanyestillwater says it can resume limited mining in south africa. South africa has more than 80% of the worlds platinum reserves, and is the largest producer of platinum group metals pgms. The company said the south african government had given it. The top risks facing the south african mining industry. The platinum orebody is a thin, tabular reef covering a vast area. Local mining companies manage unique south african. United states geological survey, 2005 minerals yearbook.
Platinums wear and tarnish resistance characteristics are well suited for making fine jewelry. Ls rustenburg platinum mines ltd, gencors impala platinum ltd,andlonrhos westernplatinum ltd. Because of the rarity of pgm and its tendency to combine with other metals, the mining process often yields far more nickel or copper than it does platinum. Mining for sustainable development corruption watch. Prof oconnor is the ceo south african minerals to metals research institute. Accepted best practice, both within south africa and internationally. While these companies have significant south african operations, their global exposure and size mean that they do not necessarily reflect trends in the south african mining environment. The platinum group metals pgm industry is the largest component of the south african mining sector on the basis of its contribution to gross domestic product gdp, employment, foreign exchange earnings and overall contribution to the south african economy baxter, 2014. In 2012, the south african platinum industry contributed. The near shore and shelf environments of the west coast hold rich reserves of minerals, particularly diamonds and in south africa there is an increasing emphasis on offshore diamond mining operations. The south african platinum industry has grown phenomenally since the. Jun 11, 2018 the report includes commentary on the main participants in south africas platinum industry, other platinum producers, and exploration and development companies. Platinum and related metals are in a growth phase, with south africa boasting around half or more of world production and reserves. Local mining companies manage unique south african operational complexities while still operating in the context of global pressures.
Mining and mineral and coal exploration, development and production by their nature contain significant. Platinums wear and tarnish resistance characteristics are. South africa sa is the source of over 60% of newly mined pgms and over 80% of platinum. This page provides south africa mining production actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.
Mining companies in south africa face significant challenges, putting the industry at a crossroads. Mining in south africa was once the main driving force behind the history and development of africa s most advanced and richest economy. South africas mining industry distribution of expenses 2019. The impact of platinum mining in rustenburg a highlevel. Pdf south africa has more than 80% of the worlds platinum reserves, and is the largest producer of platinum group metals pgms.
Keywords marikana massacre, platinum, gold, mining, social impacts, environmental. The country is famous for its abundance of mineral resources, accounting for a significant proportion of world production and reserves, and south african mining companies are key players in the global industry. This discovery and clear evidence of platinum ore close to. Platinummining and the bafokeng 27 in 1921, an orebearing reef, known as the merensky reef, was discovered in the socalled bushveld complex, spanning south africas presentday northwest, northern and mpumalanga provinces. South africa could do more for miners, says ilo mining. It is the worlds fifth largest mining sector in terms of gross domestic product gdp, contributing eight percent to south africas gdp. A perspective on the south african mining industry in the. However, platinum miners share of analysed market capitalisation increased marginally to 34%. These vast resources occur together with the worlds largest reserves. Our projects are located in the bushveld complex in south africa, surrounded by 70% of the worlds platinum production. Aug 16, 2012 south africa is a world leader in mining. Challenges facing the south african mining industry by prof cyril oconnor.
Overview of pgm processing anglo american platinum. This paper presents two case studies of mining in south africa to refl. The role of illumination in reducing risk to health and. South african mining sector has had a negative impact on its mining industry. Probably the biggest challenge facing the mining industry and south africas economy is unreliable power supply. Opportunities and challenges facing the south african mining industry presentation to the sacea agm by roger baxter, senior executive, chamber of mines of south africa, 17 february 2011 presentation outline mining and minerals, integral to modern society the south african mining industry the future the global mining industry back to the. Jun 14, 2019 this statistic displays the platinum production in south africa from 2010 to 2018, and a forecast figure for 2019. Mining of platinum in south africa 2015 pr newswire.
The platinum mining industry and the apartheid mineral property system in south africas political transition. Economic activity in modernday south africa has been centred on mining activities, their ancillary services and supplies. The primary production of platinum group metals pgms. Creamer medias platinum 2018 report provides a global overview of the platinum market, with a particular focus on south africas platinumsector business and regulatory environment. Tough choices facing the south african mining industry. Offshore mining in south africa is also relatively productive. In south africa, the worlds largest producer, platinum is mined in an area called the bushveld igneous complex. The impact of platinum mining in rustenburg a highlevel analysis. This highlevel analysis provides a fresh outlook on the impact of the main platinum mining houses operations in the rustenburg. Primary production at impala platinum mine in south africa. Platinum mining in south africa, or mining for platinum group metals pgm, is widespread on the african continent, and south africa holds over 80% of the worlds reserves. Case study on extractive industries prepared for the. These investments are being planned at a time when, according to chris griffith, chief executive of anglo american platinum, two thirds of. These investments are being planned at a time when, according to chris griffith, chief executive of anglo american platinum, two thirds of south africa s platinum mines are unprofitable.
For example, in south africa, pgmbearing ores generally have a low pgm content of between 2 and 6 grams per tonne and it will typically take up to six months and between 10 and 40 tonnes of ore to produce one ounce 31. Pdf challenges in the south african platinum sector. For investors interested in the pgm sector in africa, south africa seems to be the logical starting point. Aug 24, 2012 south africa could do more for miners, says ilo mining. Several distinctive properties of platinum group elements pge. Frequent bad news headlines related to mining industry, the. Challenges facing the south african mining industry saae. Largescale and profitable mining started with the discovery of a diamond on the banks of the orange river in 1867 by erasmus jacobs and the subsequent discovery and exploitation of the kimberley pipes a few years later. Production hascontinuedeversince,andtodaythree largescalemining concerns areengaged inwinning platinumfromthebushveldcomplex. The south african platinum mining industry faces continuous challenges in terms of increased global competition, demand for productivity, skills shortages, loss of scarce technical skills due to. In an ongoing debate about the role of mining in south africa, the government has expressed that it expects mining companies to increase their operations wider socioeconomic benefits.
South africa 88%, russia 8%, north america 2%, zimbabwe 1% and rest of world 1% south africa sa is the source of over 60% of newly mined pgms and over 80% of platinum. Time trend of platinum production 57 platinum, along with the rest of the platinum group metals, is obtained commercially as a byproduct from nickel and copper mining and processing. Environmental and health impacts of mining in africa edited by benjamin mapani and bohdan kribek. Global mining companies anglo american1, bhp billiton, glencore and south32 were excluded. The catalytic properties of the six platinum group metals pgm iridium, osmium, palladium, platinum, rhodium, and ruthenium are outstanding. Pgm mining in south africa is located in the bushveld complex in three regions commonly referred to as the western. Prof cyril oconnors presented the 2016 academy lecture, challenges facing the south african mining industry, in october 2016 in cape town and in march 2017 in gauteng.
They regarded platinum as an unwanted impurity in the silver they were mining. Interviews and observations on field visits to the platinum and gold mining areas of south africa in the immediate aftermath of the marikana massacre highlight this legacyincluding vast quantities of tailings dumps and waste rock, lakes of polluted water and a devastated physical and social environment, high unemployment, high rates of. The killings of more than 30 workers in the marikana platinum mine have put the spotlight on working conditions in south africas mining industry. Tough choices facing the south african mining industry 197 introduction mining companies in south africa face significant challenges, putting the industry at a crossroads. Mining of platinum in south africa 2016 research and. Mining is a source of extraordinary wealth, but its benefits often do not accrue to the workers and communities most involved. South africa accounts for 80% of global platinum production and a majority of the worlds known platinum deposits.
Pdf platinum smelting in south africa researchgate. South africa could do more for miners, says ilo mining specialist. This report is a summary of information published in engineering news and mining weekly, as well as of information available in the public domain. Opportunities and challenges facing the south african mining. The countrys stock exchange in johannesburg was established in 1887, a decade after the first diamonds were discovered on the banks of the orange river, and almost simultaneously with the gold rush on the worldfamous witwatersrand. Qualified persons report on bokoni platinum mine, mpumalanga ii. In 2005, 78% of the worlds platinum was produced in south africa, along with 39% of the worlds palladium. Mining in south africa was once the main driving force behind the history and development of africas most advanced and richest economy. This paper presents two case studies of mining in south africa to reflect on the history and legacy of mining both through observation and through the voices of. To support stoping, we also have to make excavations for engine rooms and pump chambers or for access purposes such as shafts, drives, winzes and raises. Dublinbusiness wireresearch and markets has announced the addition of the mining of platinum in south africa 2016 report to their. Nov 21, 2017 according to to industryfocused assurance, advisory and tax services provider pwc south africas mine report 2017, the industry has not seen a significant change in the risks identified by mining companies, being broadly. This highlevel analysis provides a fresh outlook on the impact of the main platinum mining houses operations in.
In south africa, the discovery of the first platinum nuggets dates back to 1924. Although risks have remained relatively consistent, pwc south africas mine report 2017 highlights the importance of risk identification and the management thereof. Large scale mechanised mining methods we use include. The geologist hans merenskys followup work resulted in the discovery of two deposits, each around 100km in length, which became known as the bushveld igneous complex. This statistic displays the platinum production in south africa from 2010 to 2018, and a forecast figure for 2019. Mar 15, 2017 dublinbusiness wireresearch and markets has announced the addition of the mining of platinum in south africa 2016 report to their offering.
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