2017–2018 Minerals Yearbook

SOUTH AFRICA

U.S. Department of the Interior July 2023

U.S. Geological Survey
 The Mineral Industry of South Africa
By Thomas R. Yager

Note: In this chapter, information for 2017 is followed by information for 2018.

The Republic of South Africa remained one of the world’s ownership requirements. Companies are required to purchase
leading mining and mineral-processing countries. In 2017, 70% of their services, 50% of their consumable goods, and
South Africa’s estimated share of world mined rhodium 40% of their capital goods from BEE entities. Companies are
production amounted to 80%; mined platinum, 72%; refined also required to report progress annually on the development
rhodium, 63%; refined platinum, 66%; chromium, 46%; of near-mine communities, the sustainability of growth and
vermiculite, 44%; mined palladium, 39%; manganese and development, and mineral beneficiation. In 2016, mining
refined palladium, 31% each; ferrochromium, 29%; zircon, companies reported that 75% of their services, 69% of their
24%; industrial garnet, 22%; vanadium, 11%; refined gold, 7%; capital goods, and 68% of their consumable goods were
diamond, 6%; fluorspar, 5%; coal, iron ore, and mined gold, 4% purchased from BEE entities (Creamer, 2010; Chamber of
each; mined cobalt and nickel, 2% each; and aluminum, refined Mines of South Africa, 2018, p. 31).
cobalt, mined lead, and stainless steel, 1% each. South Africa In June 2017, the Government introduced a new Mining
also played a globally significant role in the production of Charter that made several changes to BEE requirements. The
kyanite and related minerals, ilmenite, and rutile (BP p.l.c., black ownership requirement was increased to 30% from
2018, p. 38; Cobalt Institute, 2018; CPM Group, 2018, p. 6–7, 26%. Of the 30% black ownership in mining companies, at
100–101, 164–165; Merafe Resources Ltd., 2018, p. 10–11; least 14% was required to be held by BEE entrepreneurs and
World Gold Council, 2018; Bedinger, 2019a, b; Bray, 2019; at least 8% each by employee share ownership plans and
Corathers, 2019; Curry, 2019; George, 2019; Klochko, 2019; mine communities to be invested in a community trust. The
McRae, 2019a, b; Olson, 2019a, b; Polyak, 2019; Schulte, 2019; requirement to purchase services from South African companies
Shedd, 2019; Singerling, 2019; Tanner, 2019a, b; Tuck, 2019). was increased to 80%. The requirement to purchase goods from
In 2017, South Africa’s estimated share of the world’s South African companies was increased to 70%. Companies that
coal consumption was 2.2%, and petroleum products, 0.6%. held new prospecting rights were required to have majority black
The country also accounted for 88% of total African coal shareholding. At yearend, the Amended Mining Charter of 2010
consumption and 14% of total African petroleum products was still in effect because of legal disputes between the Chamber
consumption in 2017 (BP p.l.c., 2018, p. 15, 39). of Mines and the Government regarding the new charter (Beech
and Livingston, 2017; Brand South Africa, 2018).
Minerals in the National Economy In the Witwatersrand basin, acid mine drainage from gold
mining operations threatened to contaminate water supplies in
The mineral industry accounted for 6.8% of the gross
Gauteng Province with increased levels of toxic heavy metals
domestic product (GDP) in 2017 compared with 7% in 2016 and
and radioactive particles. The acid mine drainage was the
7.8% in 2007. Employment in the mineral industry amounted
result of leaching from tailings piles and from abandoned deep
to 464,667 workers in 2017, which was an increase of 1.6%
underground mines that filled with water that became acidic.
compared with that of 2016. In 2017, platinum-group metal
South Africa had about 270 tailings piles in the Witwatersrand
(PGM) mining accounted for 37.8% of the mineral industry’s
basin that contained about 6 billion metric tons of pyrite. The
employment; gold, 24.1%; coal, 17.6%; iron ore, 4.7%;
oxidation of pyrite led to acid mine drainage. The tailings piles
diamond, 3.9%; chromite, 3.8%; manganese, 1.8%; and other
also contained an estimated 600,000 metric tons (t) of uranium.
minerals, 6.3% (Chamber of Mines of South Africa, 2015,
In 2017, the Government was engaged in an acid mine drainage
p. 8–9; 2018, p. 8, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19).
remediation program with an estimated cost of $870 million
Government Policies and Programs (Solomons, 2017b).
The mining industry was regulated by the Department of
Mining of minerals and mineral fuels was governed by Mineral Resources. Exploration and production of natural
the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act 28 gas and petroleum were regulated by Petroleum Agency
of 2002 (MPRDA), which became effective in May 2004. South Africa. Environmental regulations were enforced by
Section 100(2)(a) of the MPRDA allowed for the establishment the Department of Environmental Affairs. The Department of
of a Mining Charter. The Mining Charter was published in 2004 Mineral Resources issued environmental permits for mining
and modified by the Amended Mining Charter of 2010. operations; decisions regarding permits could be appealed to the
Under the Amended Mining Charter of 2010, the Department of Environmental Affairs.
Government’s Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) program
requires that black ownership of mining companies reach 26%. Production
Companies are allowed to use the value of their domestic
In 2017, slate production increased by 1,313%; that of
beneficiation activities as credit for up to 11% of their black
pyrophyllite, by 188%; mica, by 163%; sodium sulfate, by
south africa—2017–2018 37.1
119%; kaolin, by 48%; fluorspar, by 43%; magnesite, by an $79 billion. About 69% of unprocessed mineral products,
estimated 33%; direct-reduced iron, by 32%; manganese ore, by value, were exported in 2017. South Africa’s exports of
by 31%; silica sand, by 27%; phosphate rock, by 23%; gypsum, gold were valued at $4.7 billion in 2017; coal, $4.42 billion;
mined lead, and titaniferous slag, by 22% each; rutile, by an platinum, $3.71 billion; iron ore; $3.2 billion; manganese ore,
estimated 20%; diamond, by 17%; zinc, by 15%; andalusite $2.21 billion; palladium, $1.69 billion; chromite, $908 million;
and iron ore, by 13% each; attapulgite, brick clay, chromite, diamond, $738 million; rhodium, $544 million; nickel,
and silver, by 12% each; and bentonite and silicomanganese, $355 million; iridium, $143 million; ruthenium, $57 million;
by 11% each (Mpuleng Galane, Deputy Director of Statistics, and other crude mineral products, which included lead, ilmenite,
Department of Minerals and Energy of the Republic of South rutile, and zircon, $1.03 billion. Processed mineral products
Africa, written commun., August 24, 2018). accounted for an additional 6% of total exports. Exports of
In 2017, silicon metal production decreased by 82%; that ferrochromium were valued at $2.7 billion; manganese alloys,
of fire clay, by 56%; ferrosilicon, by an estimated 34%; $294 million; and aluminum, antimony trioxide, phosphoric
ferromanganese, by 23%; tellurium, by an estimated 21%; acid, silicon metal and alloys, titanium slag, vanadium alloys,
natural gas liquids and shale for brickmaking, by 20% each; and other vanadium products, $1.79 billion (Chamber of Mines
uranium, by an estimated 19%; industrial garnet, by 17%; talc, of South Africa, 2018, p. 8; Galane, 2018; Mpuleng Galane,
by 16%; selenium, by an estimated 14%; and metallurgical Deputy Director of Statistics, Department of Minerals and
coal and ruthenium, by 13% each. Antimony production shut Energy of the Republic of South Africa, written commun.,
down in 2017 (Mpuleng Galane, Deputy Director of Statistics, August 24, 2018).
Department of Minerals and Energy of the Republic of South The percentage of domestic consumption of mineral
Africa, written commun., August 24, 2018). commodities produced in South Africa varied widely by
In 2017, fluorspar and phosphate rock production increased commodity. In 2017, silver exports, by volume, amounted to
because of increased capacity utilization. Ferrosilicon 95% of total sales; diamond and iron ore, 90% each; PGMs,
production decreased because of plant closures in 2016. Data on 89%; gold and nickel, 78% each; copper, 54%; granite, 38%;
mineral production are in table 1. coal, 28%; flint clay, 3%; and lime, 1%. All sales of clays
and shale other than flint clay, feldspar, gypsum, and sand
Structure of the Mineral Industry for construction were domestic. Between October 2016 and
March 2017, vermiculite exports accounted for 83% of total
Most of South Africa’s mineral industry was privately owned;
sales and phosphate rock accounted for 18%. Between April
Government-owned PetroSA operated a gas-to-liquids plant and
and September 2016 (the latest period for which data were
produced crude petroleum and natural gas in recent years. The
available), zircon exports accounted for 99% of total sales
production of diamond and gold, which were produced mostly
(Munyu, 2016; Muravha, 2017; Radipabe, 2017; Mpuleng
by artisanal miners in some African countries, was dominated
Galane, Deputy Director of Statistics, Department of Minerals
by large-scale producers in South Africa. The leading producer’s
and Energy of the Republic of South Africa, written commun.,
share of total output varied widely by commodity. Ammonia,
August 24, 2018).
antimony, fluorspar, industrial garnet, mined lead, vermiculite,
and mined zinc were produced by only one domestic company Commodity Review
each. The leading producer of ferrosilicon accounted for about
76% of national production; that of iron ore, 60%; diamond, Metals
54%; nickel, 35%; gold, 32%; and coal, 20%.
South Africa also had many producers of aggregates, clay and Aluminum.—South Africa produced primary aluminum
shale, and sand for construction. Capacity, location, ownership, from imported alumina. South32 Ltd. of Australia operated the
and production information were not readily available for most Hillside primary aluminum smelter at Richards Bay; production
of these operations. Major commodities and the companies that at Hillside increased to 716,000 t in 2017 from 701,000 t in
produced those commodities are listed in table 2. 2016 (South32 Ltd., 2017, 2018).
Chromium.—Most of South Africa’s chromite production
Reserves and Resources was metallurgical-grade. In 2017, chromite production was about
16.5 million metric tons (Mt) compared with 14.7 Mt in 2016 and
South Africa’s estimated share of world reserves of PGMs
9.67 Mt in 2007. Increased production since 2006 was partially
amounted to 91%; chromite, 39%; manganese, 29%; zirconium,
attributable to PGM mining companies producing chromite as
19%; vanadium, 18%; fluorspar, 15%; rutile, 13%; gold, 11%;
a coproduct (table 1; Chamber of Mines of South Africa, 2015,
ilmenite, 7%; and nickel, 5%. The country also had substantial
p. 17; Mpuleng Galane, Deputy Director of Statistics, Department
reserves of andalusite, antimony, coal, iron ore, phosphate rock,
of Minerals and Energy of the Republic of South Africa, written
and vermiculite (table 3; Bedinger, 2018a, b; Corathers, 2018;
commun., August 24, 2018).
George, 2018; Loferski, 2018; McRae, 2018; Polyak, 2018;
Glencore plc of Switzerland and its joint-venture partner
Singerling, 2018a, b).
Merafe Resources Ltd. operated the Boshoek, the Helena, the
Mineral Trade Kroondal, the Magareng, the Thorncliffe, and the Waterval Mines.
Glencore and Merafe produced about 3.8 Mt of chromite in 2017
Unprocessed minerals accounted for 28% of the value compared with 4 Mt in 2016; the lower output was attributable to
of South Africa’s total exports in 2017, which was about

37.2 U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY MINERALS YEARBOOK—2017–2018

decreased consumption of ore per ton of ferrochromium produced in 2017 from 174,000 t in 2016. ARM and Impala Platinum
(Merafe Resources Ltd., 2018, p. 17–18). Holdings Ltd. (Implats) also operated the Two Rivers Mine;
Glencore and Merafe operated the Boshoek, the Lion, chromite sales from the mine decreased to 248,125 t in 2017
the Lydernburg, the Rustenburg, and the Wonderkop from 285,706 t in 2016. ARM planned to sell a total of nearly
ferrochromium plants, which had a total (combined) capacity 650,000 t/yr of chromite from Nkomati Chrome and Two Rivers
of 2.34 million metric tons per year (Mt/yr). The companies through at least mid-2020 (African Rainbow Minerals Ltd.,
produced 1.93 Mt of ferrochromium in 2017, which was nearly 2017a, p. 37, 40–41; 2017b, p. 14, 16; 2018b, p. 51, 53).
unchanged from that of 2016. Production was limited by reduced Hernic Ferrochrome (Pty) Ltd. (a subsidiary of Mitsubishi
ferrochromium demand on world markets (Merafe Resources Corp. of Japan) operated the Bokone and the Morula Mines,
Ltd., 2018, p. 17–18). which had a capacity of 1.5 Mt/yr, and a ferrochromium plant
Samancor Chrome (Pty) Ltd. (International Mineral with a capacity of 420,000 t/yr (table 2). The company produced
Resources BV of the Netherlands, 70%) produced chromite at 376,000 t of ferrochromium in 2016; output was limited by the
the Eastern Chrome Mines in Mpumalanga Province and the high cost of its mining operations. In September 2017, Hernic
Western Chrome Mines in North West Province. The company entered bankruptcy proceedings (Creamer, 2016a; Davies, 2018).
mined about 2 Mt/yr of chromite at the Eastern Chrome Traxys Group operated a ferrochromium plant at Richards
Mines and 1.5 Mt/yr at the Western Chrome Mines. About Bay with a capacity of 130,000 t/yr. In September 2017,
80% of Samancor Chrome’s production was consumed in its the plant’s production was suspended for 3 months because
ferrochromium plants; the remainder was exported (Khaile, of low ferrochromium prices on world markets. The plant
2016, p. 13; Golder Associates Inc., 2017, p. 1). was at a competitive disadvantage because of its distance
Samancor Chrome operated the Ferrometals plant in Witbank, from chromite deposits in the Bushveld Complex (Roskill
the Middelburg plant in Middelburg, and the Tubatse plant Information Services, 2017).
in Steelpoort; the plants had a combined capacity of more PGM producers and other companies also mined chromite
than 1.2 Mt/yr of ferrochromium (table 2). In early 2017, the as a coproduct of mining of Upper Group 2 (UG2) ore in the
company was producing at the rate of more than 1.1 Mt/yr of Bushveld Complex. Production of chromite from UG2 ore had
ferrochromium (Golder Associates Inc., 2017, p. 1). increased in recent years because of the declining profitability
In late 2016, Samancor Chrome purchased the Buffelsfontein of PGM mining. UG2 ore had a much lower production
plant from International Ferro Metals Ltd. The company cost than the Lower Group 6 (LG6) chromite ore mined by
restarted production in 2017 and planned to produce 150,000 t ferrochromium producers (Ryan’s Notes, 2012).
of ferrochromium by yearend (Khaile, 2017). Lonmin plc of the United Kingdom’s sales of chromite from
ASA Metals (Pty) Ltd. (Sinosteel Corp. of China, 60%, and UG2 ore were 1.37 Mt in 2017 compared with 1.51 Mt in 2016.
Limpopo Economic Development Enterprise, 40%) operated the The company’s BTT project would increase chromite production
Dilokong chromite mine near Burgersfort and a ferrochromium by 360,000 t/yr by treating UG2 tailings. The estimated life of the
plant near Pietersburg with capacities of 800,000 metric tons project was 7 years. Lonmin planned to start production in 2018
per year (t/yr) and 410,000 t/yr, respectively. In March 2016, (Lonmin plc, 2017a, p. 13, 33, 52; 2017b; 2018b).
ASA Metals was operating only one of its four furnaces when it In 2017, Anglo American Platinum Ltd. (Amplats) produced
entered bankruptcy proceedings because of its high-cost mining 978,800 t of chromite from UG2 ore compared with a revised
operation. In April 2017, the Competition Commission approved 751,600 t in 2016 and 566,500 t in 2015. In August 2016, the
the purchase of ASA Metals’ ferrochromium plant by a joint company started production at a new plant at the Amandelbult
venture of Samancor Chrome and Sinosteel Corp. of China Mine with a capacity of 700,000 t/yr. Amplats planned to produce
(Creamer, 2016a; Tex Report, The, 2016; van Wyngaardt, 2017). between 600,000 and 650,000 t/yr at the new plant. Production
In fiscal year 2017 (which started on October 1, 2016, and at Amandelbult increased to 654,400 t in 2017 from 234,700 t in
ended on September 30, 2017), Tharisa Minerals (Pty) Ltd. 2016, and at the Union Mine, to 324,400 t from 262,100 t (Slater,
of Cyprus produced about 1.33 Mt of chromite at the Tharisa 2017; Anglo American Platinum Ltd., 2018, p. 33, 46, 50).
Mine compared with 1.24 Mt in fiscal year 2016. The company Sibanye-Stillwater Ltd. (formerly Sibanye Gold Ltd.)
planned to increase production to 2 Mt/yr by 2020. The purchased the Rustenburg PGM mine from Amplats in
remaining life of the open pit was estimated to be 17 years, October 2016. In 2017, the company produced 736,000 t of
which could be followed by an underground mine with a life of chromite from its Waterval plant at the Rustenburg Mine. The
40 years (Tharisa Minerals (Pty) Ltd., 2017, p. 1–2, 8). company was engaged in a scoping study to increase recovery
Assore Ltd. operated the Dwarsrivier Mine in Mpumalanga. rates at Waterval (Sibanye-Stillwater Ltd., 2018, p. 11, 50, 52).
In fiscal year 2017 (which started on July 1, 2016, and ended In its 2017 fiscal year (which started on July 1, 2016, and
on June 30, 2017), sales from Dwarsrivier increased to 1.28 Mt ended on June 30, 2017), Northam Platinum Ltd. produced
of chromite from 1.15 Mt in fiscal year 2016. Increased 581,000 t of chromite from UG2 ore at its Booysendal North
sales were attributable to improvements in the efficiency of and Zondereinde Mines compared with 538,405 t in fiscal year
the mining process and upgrades to the beneficiation plant 2016 and 371,051 t in fiscal year 2015. Increased production was
(Assore Ltd., 2017, p. 29–30). attributable to the shift in the company’s PGM mining operations
African Rainbow Minerals Ltd. and its joint-venture partner from the Merensky Reef to the UG2 Reef. Northam’s output was
MMC Norilsk Nickel of Russia operated the Nkomati chromite expected to increase to 1 Mt/yr as its PGM operations expanded
mine. Chromite sales from Nkomati increased to 343,000 t (Creamer, 2016b; James, 2018; Liedtke, 2018b).

south africa—2017–2018 37.3

 Implats held a 65% share in Impala Chrome (Pty) Ltd., production during the estimated 20-year life of the mine was
which produced about 200,000 t/yr of chromite. The company likely to be nearly 3,000 kg/yr (Sibanye Gold Ltd., 2017, p. 44;
produced chromite by processing about 4 Mt/yr of tailings from Sibanye-Stillwater Ltd., 2018, p. 50–51).
Implats’ PGM operations. Implats also produced chromite from Sibanye-Stillwater also was engaged in the development of
its joint-venture Makgomo Chrome project at the Marula Mine. projects to extend the lives of the Driefontein and the Kloof Mines.
In February 2017, mining at Makgomo Chrome was The life of the Driefontein Mine would be extended until
suspended after protests regarding the management of the local 2042, and the Kloof Mine, until 2034. Additional production
community’s 50% interest in the project (Creamer, 2017; Impala from Driefontein was expected to be an average of 3,000 kg/yr
Platinum Holdings Ltd., 2017a, p. 52). between mid-2020 and 2042, and from Kloof, an average of
Cobalt.—Refined cobalt production decreased to 1,062 t 1,200 kg/yr between mid-2020 and 2034. Development of the
in 2017 from 1,101 t in 2016, most of which was from Driefontein Decline project could be delayed by reduction of
South African PGM mining operations. ARM and Norilsk also capital expenditures in 2017 (Sibanye Gold Ltd., 2017, p. 45;
produced 851 t of mined cobalt at the Nkomati Mine in 2017 Sibanye-Stillwater Ltd., 2018, p. 50–51).
compared with 831 t in 2016 (African Rainbow Minerals Ltd., Sibanye planned to complete a prefeasibility study on the
2017a, p. 41; 2017b, p. 16; 2018b, p. 53; Cobalt Institute, 2018). Bloemhoek project, which had resources of more than 130,000 kg
Gold.—The long-term decline in South Africa’s mined of contained gold, by mid-2017. The development of the Beisa
gold output continued in 2017, with production decreasing to project, which had resources of 22,000 kg of contained gold and
137,133 kilograms (kg) from a revised 142,202 kg in 2016 and 7,300 t of contained uranium, depended on increased uranium
254,685 kg in 2007. During the same period, the country’s share prices (Sibanye Gold Ltd., 2018, p. 51–52, 58).
of world gold production decreased to about 4% from 10%. Harmony Gold Mining Company Ltd. produced a total
Decreased output was primarily attributable to mines operating of 31,815 kg of gold from its South African operations in
at depths as great as 4 kilometers, which led to difficult geologic 2017. The Tshepong operations produced 9,303 kg in 2017;
conditions, high ore haulage and refrigeration costs, and low the Kusasalethu Mine, 4,458 kg; the Kalgold, the Phoenix,
labor productivity (table 1; du Venage, 2013; Chamber of Mines and other surface mining operations, a total of 3,262 kg;
of South Africa, 2015, p. 27–28; Mpuleng Galane, Deputy the Target 1 Mine, 3,082 kg; the Doornkop Mine, 3,001 kg;
Director of Statistics, Department of Minerals and Energy of the the Masimong Mine, 2,811 kg; the Bambanani Mine, 2,680 kg;
Republic of South Africa, written commun., August 24, 2018). the Joel Mine, 1,856 kg; and the Unisel Mine, 1,362 kg
Sibanye-Stillwater mined gold at the Beatrix, the Driefontein, (Harmony Gold Mining Company Ltd., 2018).
and the Kloof Mines, which were underground mines. For fiscal year 2018, Harmony’s planned production at
Production at the Kloof Mine increased to 16,432 kg in 2017 Tshepong was about 9,400 kg; Kusasalethu; about 4,400 kg;
from 15,210 kg in 2016. Production at Driefontein decreased to Kalgold, Phoenix, and other surface mining operations, a total
15,004 kg in 2017 from 16,130 kg in 2016, and at Beatrix, to of about 3,000 kg; Doornkop and Target 1, about 2,900 kg each;
9,091 kg from 10,041 kg. The Cooke Operations, which were Bambanani, about 2,600 kg; Masimong, 2,200 kg; Joel, about
a combination of underground mines and tailings retreatment 2,100 kg; and Unisel, 1,700 kg. The remaining life of Doornkop
sites, produced 3,107 kg in 2017 compared with 5,653 kg in was 18 years; Tshepong, 17 years; the surface operations, at
2016. Sibanye-Stillwater placed the underground mines at the least 14 years; Joel, 9 years; Target 1; 7 years; Bambanani,
Cooke Operations on care-and-maintenance status in 2017; the Kusasalethu, and Unisel, 5 years each; and Masimong, 4 years
tailings that supplied the surface mining operations were likely (Harmony Gold Mining Company Ltd., 2017, p. 83).
to be depleted by mid-2019. Sibanye planned to produce a total AngloGold Ashanti Ltd. operated mines in the Vaal River
of between 38,500 and 40,000 kg of gold in 2018 (Sibanye- area near Klerksdorp and the West Wits area near Carletonville.
Stillwater Ltd., 2018, p. 45, 47, 49, 59). The company’s gold production decreased to about 28,100 kg in
Sibanye-Stillwater was engaged in the development of the 2017 from 30,100 kg in 2016. Production at the Moab Khotsong
West Rand Tailings Retreatment Project (WRTRP) in 2017. Mine was 9,100 kg in 2017; the Mponeng Mine, 7,000 kg; the
Production in the first phase of mining between 2018 and 2022 surface operations in North West Province, 6,300 kg; the Tau
could be as much as 2,600 kilograms per year (kg/yr) of gold Tona Mine, 2,800 kg; and the Great Noligwa and Kopanang
recovered from tailings. In the second phase of mining between Mine, a total of 2,800 kg. Production increased at Mponeng by
2023 and 2034, production could be as much as 4,300 kg/yr. In 5% and at the surface operations, by 3%. In 2017, ore grades
the third phase of mining between 2035 and 2039, production decreased at every operation except for the surface operations.
could be as much as 3,800 kg/yr. The second and third phases Tau Tona was closed in late 2017 (AngloGold Ashanti Ltd.,
of mining depended on the results of a feasibility study that was 2018, p. 74, 118).
expected to be completed in 2020. In November, the company In October 2017, AngloGold Ashanti agreed to sell the
proposed to sell its WRTRP assets to DRDGold Ltd. in return Moab Khotsong and the Great Noligwa Mines to Harmony and
for a 38% share in DRDGold (Pretorius and others, 2018, p. 4, Kopanang to Heaven-Sent SA Sunshine Investment Company
17, 23; Sibanye-Stillwater Ltd., 2018, p. 26, 46–47). Ltd. At yearend, the sales had not been completed. Kopanang
In 2017, Sibanye-Stillwater was engaged in the reopening of had an estimated remaining life of more than 51 years, and
the Burnstone Mine. The company planned to restart mining at Moab Khotsong, more than 23 years (Perold, 2017, p. 3–4;
Burnstone in the second half of 2018 and to produce at the full AngloGold Ashanti Ltd., 2018, p. 61).
capacity of 3,900 kg/yr of gold between 2022 and 2028. Average

37.4 U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY MINERALS YEARBOOK—2017–2018

 Gold Fields Ltd. produced about 9,000 kg of gold at the adjacent to Harmony’s Target 1 Mine. In 2016, White Rivers
South Deep Mine in 2016, which was an increase of 47% completed a scoping study on a new mine at EJV. Depending on
from that of 2015. The company had planned to produce the results of prefeasibility and feasibility studies, the companies
about 9,800 kg in 2017; actual production was about 8,700 kg. could produce at least 7,500 kg/yr of gold between years 4
Gold Fields planned to ramp up production to full capacity in and 17 of mining operations. The planned average production
2021 or 2022; output was expected to be about 15,500 kg/yr during the estimated 33-year life of the project was 6,300 kg/yr.
between 2023 and 2031. Production was expected to decrease White Rivers planned to complete a prefeasibility study in
to about 15,000 kg/yr after 2031 because of lower ore grades. June 2017 and a feasibility study in June 2018. At yearend, the
The estimated remaining life of the mine was 77 years (Kotze, prefeasibility study had not been completed (Andrews, 2017b;
2017b; Seccombe, 2019). White Rivers Exploration (Pty) Ltd., 2017, p. 6, 9, 11–12;
In its 2017 fiscal year (which started on July 1, 2016, and Washbourne, 2018).
ended on June 30, 2017), Pan African Resources plc produced Rand Refinery Ltd. (AngloGold Ashanti, 53%; Gold Fields,
5,390 kg of gold compared with 6,374 kg in fiscal year 2016. 33%; DRDGold, 10%; and Avgold Ltd. and Western Areas Ltd.,
Production at the Barberton Mine was 2,232 kg in fiscal year 2% each) refined most of the newly mined gold in South Africa.
2017; the Evander Mine, 1,409 kg; the Evander Tailings The company produced at about 50% of its capacity of
Retreatment Project (ERTP), 917 kg; and the Barberton 600,000 kg/yr. Rand Refinery sourced about 50% of its gold
Tailings Retreatment Project (BRTP), 832 kg. The Barberton from other African countries. South Africa also had small
and Evander Mines had capacities of nearly 3,000 kg/yr each, refineries that recycled gold (Seccombe, 2017).
and the BRTP and the ERTP, 930 kg/yr each. The estimated Iron Ore and Iron and Steel.—In 2017, iron ore production
remaining life of the Barberton Mine was 20 years; the Evander was about 74.3 Mt compared with 74.9 Mt in 2016 and 42.1 Mt
Mine and the ERTP, 15 years each; and the BRTP, 14 years. Pan in 2007. The long-term increase was attributable to increased
African planned to produce a total of about 6,200 kg/yr from the production from the Palabora and the Sishen Mines and the
Barberton and Evander Mines and the BTRP and the ETRP (Pan opening of the Khumani and the Kolomela Mines (Chamber of
African Resources plc, 2017, p. 5, 54; Cornish, 2018a). Mines of South Africa, 2015, p. 18; Mpuleng Galane, Deputy
In September 2017, Pan African started construction of the Director of Statistics, Department of Minerals and Energy of the
Elikhulu tailings project. Pan African planned to start gold Republic of South Africa, written commun., August 24, 2018).
production from the project in the fourth quarter of 2018. The Kumba Iron Ore Ltd.’s iron ore production increased to 45 Mt
company planned to produce more than 1,700 kg/yr by processing in 2017 from 41.5 Mt in 2016. In 2017, production at the Sishen
tailings from the Kinross, the Leslie, and the Winkelhaak tailings Mine increased to 31.1 Mt from 28.4 Mt. At the Kolomela Mine,
facilities near the Evander Mine in the first 8 years of the project output increased to 13.9 Mt from 12.7 Mt. The Thabazimbi
and 1,400 kg/yr in the remaining 5 years (Cornish, 2018a). Mine closed in mid-2016 after producing 0.4 Mt. Kumba
In its 2016 fiscal year (which started on July 1, 2015, and planned to maintain production at Sishen of about 30 Mt/yr,
ended on June 30, 2016), DRDGold produced 4,462 kg of and at Kolomela, about 14 Mt/yr. Kolomela had an estimated
gold at the Ergo tailings retreatment operation. Production was remaining life of 14 years, and Sishen, 13 years (Kumba Iron
limited by decreased gold grades in the tailings; the company Ore Ltd., 2018, p. 5, 12–13, 58, 60).
planned to increase recovery rates in the processing plant. Assmang produced iron ore at the Beeshoek and the Khumani
DRDGold had planned to produce between 4,500 and 4,700 kg Mines. In 2017, production at Beeshoek and Khumani increased
in fiscal year 2017 at Ergo, which is located near Johannesburg. to 18.2 Mt from 16.7 Mt in 2016. The company planned to
Actual production in fiscal year 2017 was about 4,200 kg. Ergo maintain production at Khumani of 14.3 Mt/yr and to increase
had an estimated remaining life of more than 20 years (Creamer, production at Beeshoek to 3.7 Mt/yr from nearly 3.2 Mt/yr by
2016c, 2018b; Perold, 2017, p. 5). mid-2018 (African Rainbow Minerals Ltd., 2017a, p. 44, 52,
Gold One International Ltd. operated the Modder East Mine 2017b, p. 9; 2018b, p. 45).
in Gauteng Province; the company produced gold at the rate of Palabora Mining Company Ltd. produced magnetite from the
about 3,200 kg/yr. The estimated remaining life of the Modder Palabora Mine. Foskor (Pty) Ltd. sold magnetite from a stockpile
East Mine was more than 17 years (Perold, 2017, p. 6). at its phosphate rock mine at Phalaborwa; the company did not
Village Main Reef Ltd. operated the Tau Lekoa Mine, which produce or process magnetite. Palabora Mining and Foskor’s
produced gold at the rate of about 2,800 kg/yr. The company exports of magnetite from the ports of Komatipoort and Richards
planned to increase production at Tau Lekoa to more than Bay were at the rate of nearly 9.6 Mt/yr between January and
3,100 kg/yr; it was unclear when the expansion would be August 2017 (Foskor (Pty) Ltd., 2017, p. 4; Tex Report, The,
completed (Village Main Reef Ltd., undated). 2017f; Transnet SOC Ltd., 2018, p. 62–63, 66).
Amplats produced about 2,200 kg of gold from its In July 2017, Afrimat Ltd. restarted production at the Diro
South African PGM mining operations in 2017 compared with Mine in Northern Cape Province, which had been placed in
a revised 2,100 kg in 2016. The Mogalakwena Mine, which bankruptcy proceedings by its previous owners in June 2016.
accounted for 32% of Amplats’ total PGM production in 2017, Afrimat was producing at the rate of between 400,000 and
produced 81% of the company’s gold output (Anglo American 500,000 t/yr in early November; the company planned to
Platinum Ltd., 2018, p. 40, 44, 46, 48, 50, 52, 54, 56). increase production to 1 Mt/yr by March 2018 (Odendaal, 2017).
White Rivers Exploration (Pty) Ltd. and Harmony were Ferrum Crescent Ltd. of Australia was considering the
considering the development of the EJV project, which was development of a new mine at its Moonlight magnetite deposit.

south africa—2017–2018 37.5

Depending on the results of a feasibility study, production BEE company Ntsimbitntle Mining (Pty) Ltd. held a 50.1%
at Moonlight was expected to be 6 Mt/yr of iron ore pellets. share in Tshipi e Ntle Manganese Mining (Pty) Ltd., and Jupiter
Ferrum Crescent decided to withdraw from South Africa in Mines Ltd. of Australia held a 49.9% share. In the fiscal year
April 2017 because of world market conditions and the high starting on March 1, 2016, and ending on February 1, 2017,
costs to develop Moonlight. The company sold its South African Jupiter and Ntsimbitntle produced 2.33 Mt of manganese ore
interests in July (Andrews, 2015a; Ferrum Crescent Ltd., 2017). at a grade of 37% manganese from the Tshipi Borwa Mine
Lead and Zinc.—The Black Mountain Mine, which was compared with a revised 1.54 Mt in fiscal year 2016. Between
operated by Vedanta Resources Ltd. of the United Kingdom, March and August 2017, the mine produced at the rate of
produced copper, lead, silver, and zinc. Lead mine production 3 Mt/yr. The mine had a capacity of 3.6 Mt/yr and an estimated
increased to 48,150 t in 2017 from 39,344 t in 2016, and remaining life of more than 100 years (Buchholz and Foya, 2017,
zinc, to 30,778 t from 26,695 t. At the beginning of 2017, the p. 25, 28; Burger, 2017; Jupiter Mines Ltd., 2018, p. 15).
remaining estimated life of the Black Mountain Mine was In its fiscal year 2016, United Manganese of Kalahari (Pty)
20 years (Kotze, 2017a; Mpuleng Galane, Deputy Director of Ltd. (UMK) [Majestic Silver Trading 40 (Pty) Ltd., 51%, and
Statistics, Department of Minerals and Energy of the Republic Renova Group of Russia, 49%] produced 1.35 Mt of manganese
of South Africa, written commun., August 24, 2018). ore at a grade of 37.5% manganese. UMK produced about 2 Mt
In 2017, Vedanta was engaged in construction of the in 2017; the company was considering an expansion to 3.8 Mt/yr.
Gamsberg Mine. The company planned to produce 250,000 t/yr The estimated remaining life of the mine was at least 22 years
of zinc in concentrate in the first phase of mining, which had [Buchholz and Foya, 2017, p. 25, 29; SLR Consulting (Africa)
an estimated life of 13 years. Mining was expected to start in (Pty) Ltd., 2017, p 2.10; Jupiter Mines Ltd., 2018, p. 18].
mid-2018. The company also was considering a second phase Manganese ore from the Kalahari deposit was consumed by
of mining in which production could increase to 450,000 t/yr of Transalloys (Pty) Ltd. (a subsidiary of Renova) in the production
zinc in concentrate and a new smelter could be built at the mine of silicomanganese. Transalloys had a capacity of 180,000 t/yr.
site. Resources at Gamsberg were estimated to be 214 Mt at a In May 2016, Renova and Majestic announced plans to shut
grade of more than 6% zinc (Tredway, 2015; Kotze, 2017a). down production in June because of world market conditions.
Manganese.—In 2017, manganese ore production was The plant restarted in 2017 (Davies, 2016).
about 14.14 Mt compared with a revised 10.81 Mt in 2016 Asia Minerals Ltd. (AML) of Hong Kong operated the
and 6 Mt in 2007. The long-term increase was attributable to Kudumane Mine at Farm York; the mine produced about
increased production from the Mamatwan, the Nchwaning, 1.5 Mt/yr of manganese ore in 2017 at a grade of 37%
and the Wessels Mines and the opening of the Kalahari, the manganese. In December, the company was engaged in an
Kudumane, and the Tshipi Borwa Mines (Chamber of Mines of expansion of its mining operations. AML planned to produce
South Africa, 2015, p. 19; Mpuleng Galane, Deputy Director of 400,000 t/yr of ore at a grade of 40% manganese at Farm
Statistics, Department of Minerals and Energy of the Republic Hotazel; the first shipments of ore were expected to be between
of South Africa, written commun., August 24, 2018). April and June 2018 (Buchholz and Foya, 2017, p. 30; Tex
Hotazel Manganese Mines (Pty) Ltd. (South32 Ltd., 60%) Report, The, 2017c, Jupiter Mines Ltd., 2018, p. 18).
operated the Mamatwan open pit mine and the Wessels Guangxi N&H Metallurgy Development Co. of China operated
underground mine near Hotazel in Northern Cape Province. the Lomoteng Mine, which had a capacity of 600,000 t/yr. The
In 2017, Samancor Manganese’s production of manganese ore company produced between 360,000 and 540,000 t/yr for export
increased to 3.72 Mt from 3.15 Mt in 2016. Ore grades from the to China. The estimated remaining life of the mine was 128 years
company’s sales were about 40% manganese in 2016 and 2017. (Buchholz and Foya, 2017, p. 25, 29).
Samancor Manganese planned to produce at the rate of about Kalagadi Manganese (Pty) Ltd. (ArcelorMittal of
3 Mt/yr in the first half of 2018 (South32 Ltd., 2017, 2018). Luxembourg, 50%; Kalahari Resources (Pty) Ltd., 40%; and
In 2017, Samancor Manganese produced 120,000 t of Industrial Development Corp., 10%) planned to start production
manganese alloys at its Meyerton plant compared with a revised at a new underground mine at Hotazel in the first quarter of
137,000 t in 2016. At yearend, the company was operating only 2017. Output was expected to be 3 Mt/yr of manganese ore
one of its four furnaces (South32 Ltd., 2017, 2018). at a grade of 38%; Kalagadi completed a plant to beneficiate
Assmang produced manganese ore at the Gloria and the the mine’s output into 2.4 Mt/yr of sintered ore in 2013. The
Nchwaning Mines. Output at Gloria and Nchwaning increased sintering plant, which had a capacity of 3.7 Mt/yr, processed
to 3.62 Mt in 2017 from 2.71 Mt in 2016; average ore grades manganese ore from other South African producers. As of
were about 45% manganese. Assmang’s Black Rock project was yearend, mining had not started (Green, 2014; Projects in
expected to increase total production to 4.6 Mt/yr; the company Progress, 2014; Jupiter Mines Ltd., 2018, p. 18; Zakhele
planned to complete the expansion by late 2019 or early 2020 Mashile, Business Development Manager, Kalagadi Manganese
(African Rainbow Minerals Ltd., 2017a, p. 53; 2017b, p. 9; (Pty) Ltd., oral commun., February 8, 2017).
2018b, p. 45; Buchholz and Foya, 2017, p. 24, 26). In 2015, Aquila Resources (Pty) Ltd. of Australia completed a
In 2017, Assmang’s production of ferromanganese at the Cato feasibility study on a new mine at the Avontuur project. Aquila
Ridge plant was 162,000 t compared with 147,000 t in 2016. planned to produce about 1.5 Mt/yr of manganese ore at a grade
Assmang planned to maintain sales of ferromanganese at about of 39% manganese from the Gravenhage deposit, of which
150,000 t/yr through mid-2019 (African Rainbow Minerals Ltd., 1.13 Mt/yr would be lumpy ore for export and 330,000 t/yr
2017a, p. 48, 53; 2017b, p. 9; 2018b, p. 45). would be fine ore sold to local sintering plants. The project

37.6 U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY MINERALS YEARBOOK—2017–2018

subsequently was delayed by a dispute regarding mining rights iridium, 2,440 kg. Production of mined palladium increased by
with Pan African Mineral Development Co., which was owned nearly 5% in 2017, and that of mined platinum, by about 1%.
by the Governments of South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Mined iridium production decreased by 1% and mined rhodium
In November 2016, the Gauteng division of the High Court and ruthenium output was nearly unchanged (Anglo American
of South Africa ruled in favor of Aquila. In November 2017, Platinum Ltd., 2018, p. 44, 46, 50, 52, 54, 56).
the Supreme Court of Appeals overturned the lower court’s In 2017, PGM production at Amplats’ Mogalakwena
decision. The dispute was unresolved at yearend (Buchholz and Mine was 32,379 kg; the Amandelbult Mine, 26,516 kg; the
Foya, 2017, p. 30–31; Creamer, 2018a). Kroondal Platinum Mine, 18,146 kg; the Modikwa Platinum
Nickel.—The majority of South Africa’s nickel mine Mine, 10,022 kg; the Union Mine, 9,558 kg; and the Mototolo
production was a coproduct of PGM mining. Amplats produced Platinum Mine, 5,704 kg. Mogalakwena, which accounted for
26,100 t of refined nickel in 2017 compared with 25,400 t in 32% of Amplats’ total mined PGM output, produced 46% of the
2016. About 19,300 t of nickel was mined at the company’s company’s palladium, 30% of the platinum, 14% of the rhodium,
South African PGM mining operations in 2017 compared with and 9% each of the iridium and ruthenium. Total PGM production
a revised 22,700 t in 2016; the Mogalakwena Mine’s production increased at Mogalakwena by 12% in 2017; Modikwa, by
decreased to 16,000 t from 16,900 t. Implats produced 10%; Union, by 3%; and Kroondal, by 2%. In 2017, production
17,100 t of refined nickel in 2017, of which nearly 4,500 t decreased at Mototolo by 27%, and at Amandelbult, by 3%
was attributable to the company’s South African PGM mining (Anglo American Platinum Ltd., 2018, p. 44, 46, 50, 52, 54, 56).
operations (Impala Platinum Holdings Ltd., 2017a, p. 147, 154, In 2018, production at Mogalakwena was expected to be
162; 2018b; Anglo American Platinum Ltd., 2018, p. 39, 40, 44, between 31,000 and 34,000 kg of PGMs. Amplats planned to
46, 48, 50, 52, 54, 56). increase production at Amandelbult to between 28,000 and
ARM and Norilsk produced 15,981 t of nickel at the 29,000 kg in 2018 (Anglo American Platinum Ltd., 2018, p. 5–6).
Nkomati Mine in 2017 compared with 16,665 t in 2016. The Royal Bafokeng Platinum Ltd. (RBPlat) and joint-venture
companies planned to increase production to 18,500 t/yr partner Amplats produced PGMs at the Bafokeng Rasimone
by mid-2020. The estimated remaining life of the mine was Platinum Mine. Production of PGMs (including gold, but not
11 years (African Rainbow Minerals Ltd., 2017a, p. 5, 7, 41; ruthenium or iridium) was about 8,800 kg in 2017 compared
2017b, p. 16; 2018b, p. 53). with 8,550 kg in 2016. Platinum production increased to
In November 2016, Lonmin and the Thakadu Group formed 5,690 kg in 2017 from 5,510 kg in 2016. Palladium production
a joint venture to build a new nickel sulfate plant at Lonmin’s at Bafokeng Rasimone was estimated to be between 2,300 and
base metals refinery. The companies completed a feasibility 2,400 kg in 2017. RBPlat produced about 1,400 kg of PGMs
study on the plant in 2017; production was expected to start by at the Styldrift Mine in 2017 compared with 900 kg in 2016.
the end of 2018. Lonmin and Thakadu planned to produce as Platinum production increased to 900 kg in 2017 from 590 kg in
much as 25,000 t/yr of high-purity nickel sulfate from Lonmin’s 2016 (Royal Bafokeng Platinum Ltd., 2018, p. 3, 59).
crude nickel sulfate. The plant’s output would be sold to the RBPlat planned to increase total PGM production to between
lithium-ion battery market (Breytenbach, 2017). 11,500 and 12,000 kg in 2018. Output of PGMs at the Bafokeng
Platinum-Group Metals.—In 2017, platinum-group metal Rasimone Platinum Mine was likely to decrease to 5,000 kg/yr
(PGM) mine production was 260,264 kg compared with by 2020. The company planned to ramp up production at
263,653 kg in 2016 and about 304,000 kg in 2007. Platinum Styldrift to its full capacity of about 10,000 kg/yr of PGMs
accounted for 50% of PGM mine production by volume by 2020. Platinum would account for 69% of production,
in 2017 (Chamber of Mines of South Africa, 2015, p. 33; and palladium, rhodium, and gold, a total of 31% (Projects in
Mpuleng Galane, Deputy Director of Statistics, Department of Progress, 2012; Royal Bafokeng Platinum Ltd., 2016, p. 23–24;
Minerals and Energy of the Republic of South Africa, written 2018, p. 59, 66).
commun., August 24, 2018). Atlatsa Resources Corp. and joint-venture partner Amplats
In 2017, Amplats produced about 155,500 kg of refined PGMs produced platinum at the rate of between 2,200 and 2,300 kg/yr
compared with a revised 145,500 kg in 2016. The company’s at the Bokoni Mine. In early October 2017, the companies
production of refined platinum was 78,129 kg in 2017; refined placed Bokoni on care-and-maintenance status (Moumakwa and
palladium, 51,893 kg; refined rhodium, 10,053 kg; and refined Rakhudu, 2018).
iridium and ruthenium, a total of about 15,500 kg. Refined Implats produced 92,685 kg of refined PGMs in 2017
palladium production increased by 14% in 2017; refined compared with 95,877 kg in 2016. Platinum accounted for about
platinum, by 8%; and refined rhodium, by 2%. Total refined 46,000 kg in 2017; palladium, 27,000 kg; rhodium, 6,600 kg;
iridium and ruthenium production decreased by 12% in 2017 and iridium and ruthenium, about 13,100 kg. The company’s
(Anglo American Platinum Ltd., 2018, p. 39). South African mining operations accounted for about 42,100 kg
About 102,300 kg of PGMs was produced by the of the refined PGMs produced; the remainder was attributable
South African mining operations of Amplats and its joint- to the Two Rivers joint venture with ARM, the company
venture partners in 2017 (not including the Bafokeng Rasimone operations in Zimbabwe, recycling, and toll refining (Impala
Platinum, the Bokoni, the Rustenburg, and the Styldrift Mines) Platinum Holdings Ltd., 2017a, p. 105, 147, 154, 162; 2017b,
compared with 100,100 kg in 2016. Of the PGMs produced, p. 2, 12; 2018b).
platinum accounted for 48,100 kg in 2017; palladium, The Impala Mines near Rustenburg in North West Province
34,400 kg; ruthenium, 10,200 kg; rhodium, 7,130 kg; and produced about 36,500 kg of PGMs (including gold) in 2017

south africa—2017–2018 37.7

compared with 37,200 kg in 2016. Platinum production was exported iridium, rhodium, and ruthenium to Germany for
about 18,900 kg in 2017; palladium, 9,920 kg; and rhodium, refining (Northam Platinum Ltd., 2017, p. 11–12; 2018, p. 12–13).
2,730 kg. Total gold, iridium, and ruthenium was 4,950 kg in In 2017, Northam was engaged in an expansion of the
2017, of which ruthenium and iridium accounted for 70% and Booysendal North Mine. The company planned to increase
13%, respectively, based on data from Prill splits. Iridium and production to nearly 6,700 kg/yr of PGM (including gold,
ruthenium production decreased by 22% in 2017, and platinum, but not ruthenium or iridium) in 2018 from 5,000 kg/yr in
by 2%. Implats planned to increase platinum production at the its fiscal year 2016 by mining ore from the Merensky reef
Impala Mines to between 21,000 and 22,000 kg in 2018 and and deepening its UG2 operations (Cornish, 2017; Northam
to more than 23,000 kg/yr by 2022 (Impala Platinum Holdings Platinum Ltd., 2017, p. 21).
Ltd., 2008; 2017a, p. 67, 147; 2017b, p. 2; 2018b). Northam also planned to produce nearly 6,700 kg/yr of
In 2017, palladium output at the Marula Mine was nearly PGMs (including gold, but not ruthenium or iridium) at its
2,200 kg; platinum, 2,100 kg; rhodium, 440 kg; and iridium new Booysendal South Mine. The company planned to restart
and ruthenium, 820 kg. The company also planned to increase operations at the Everest Mine’s processing plant, which was
platinum production at Marula to 2,600 kg/yr in 2018 (Impala on care-and-maintenance status, by mid-2018. The plant would
Platinum Holdings Ltd., 2017a, p. 85, 154; 2017b, p. 4; 2018b). process ore from the Booysendal South Mine. Full production
ARM and Implats operated the Two Rivers Mine; output at Booysendal South was expected by 2022. Total production
decreased to 11,252 kg of PGMs in 2017 from a revised at Booysendal North and Booysendal South could increase to
12,746 kg in 2016. Platinum accounted for about 47% of Two 14,800 kg/yr by 2022 (Cornish, 2017, 2018b).
Rivers’ PGM output; palladium, 27%; ruthenium, 14%; rhodium ARM and Norilsk produced PGMs at the Nkomati nickel
8%; iridium, 3%; and gold, 1%. Decreased output was mostly mine. Output increased to 4,412 kg of PGMs in 2017 from
attributable to lower ore grades. The estimated remaining 3,637 kg of PGMs in 2016. Based on Prill split data, palladium
life of the mine was more than 30 years (African Rainbow accounted for about 66% of production; platinum, 28%; and
Minerals Ltd., 2017a, p. 40; 2017b, p. 14; 2018b, p. 51; rhodium, 4%. Production was expected to increase in 2018
Moumakwa and Rakhudu, 2018). (Impala Platinum Holdings Ltd., 2008; African Rainbow
In 2017, Lonmin produced 41,904 kg of refined PGMs Minerals Ltd., 2017a, p. 37, 41; 2017b, p. 16; 2018b, p. 53).
compared with 42,138 kg in 2016. Lonmin’s mining operations Sedibelo Platinum Mines Ltd. produced about 2,500 kg of
produced 38,522 kg of PGMs in 2017, which was nearly platinum and 1,500 kg of palladium at the Pilanesberg Mine in
unchanged from the amount produced in 2016. Platinum 2017 compared with about 3,100 kg of platinum and 1,550 kg
accounted for 20,283 kg of PGM mine production in 2017; of palladium in 2016. The company’s platinum production was
palladium, 9,430 kg; ruthenium, 4,881 kg; rhodium, 2,910 kg; expected to remain unchanged in 2018. The mine’s life was
and iridium, 1,018 kg. Most of the mine production was from expected to last until at least 2027 (CPM Group, 2018, p. 15,
the Marikana Mine. Lonmin planned to sell between 20,000 104; Moumakwa and Rakhudu, 2018).
and 21,000 kg of platinum in 2018 (Lonmin plc, 2017a, p. 13, In fiscal year 2017, Tharisa produced 4,466 kg of PGMs
189–190; 2017b; 2018b). compared with 4,124 kg in fiscal year 2016. Platinum accounted
In 2016, Sibanye-Stillwater purchased the Rustenburg Mine for 55.2% of production by volume in fiscal year 2017; palladium,
from Amplats and a 50% share in the Kroondal Platinum Mine 16.1%; ruthenium, 14.3%; rhodium, 9.5%; and iridium, 4.7%.
from Aquarius Platinum Ltd. The company produced 4,286 kg The company planned to increase production to 6,200 kg/yr of
of PGMs (including gold, but not ruthenium or iridium) at PGMs by 2020. Sylvania Platinum Ltd. produced about 1,200 kg
Rustenburg in the last 2 months of 2016; in 2017, production at of platinum and 470 kg of palladium from its chromite tailings
Rustenburg was 25,179 kg. Sibanye-Stillwater also recovered retreatment plants in 2017 compared with 1,200 kg of platinum
591 kg of PGMs from tailings at Platinum Mile in 2017 compared and 560 kg of palladium in 2016 (Tharisa Minerals (Pty) Ltd.,
with 426 kg in 2016. The company’s total platinum production at 2017, p. 1–2, 13; CPM Group, 2018, p. 15, 104).
Platinum Mile and Rustenburg was about 15,400 kg; palladium, Platinum Group Metals Ltd. of Canada opened the Maseve
7,750 kg; and rhodium and gold, a total of about 2,000 kg. Mine in 2016. The company had planned to mine nearly
Mining at Rustenburg was expected to continue until 2046 8,600 kg/yr of PGMs (including gold, but not ruthenium or
(Impala Platinum Holdings Ltd., 2017a, p. 157; 2018b; Anglo iridium), of which platinum would account for 64%; palladium,
American Platinum Ltd., 2018, p. 56; Moumakwa and Rakhudu, 27%; rhodium, 5%; and gold, 4%. The estimated life of the mine
2018; Sibanye-Stillwater Ltd., 2018, p. 14, 44, 46, 48, 52). was more than 20 years. In 2017, Maseve produced platinum
Northam Platinum Ltd. operated the Booysendal North and at the rate of nearly 470 kg/yr before being placed on care-and-
the Zondereinde Mines. Booysendal North and Zondereinde’s maintenance status (Platinum Group Metals Ltd., 2015, p. 13–14;
production of platinum was 9,116 kg in 2017; palladium, Lazenby, 2018; Moumakwa and Rakhudu, 2018).
4,406 kg; ruthenium, 2,004 kg; rhodium, 1,409 kg; and iridium, In late 2016, Platinum Group Metals completed a
466 kg. In 2016, platinum production was 8,421 kg; palladium, prefeasibility study on a new mine at the Waterberg project.
a revised 3,994 kg; and rhodium, a revised 1,338 kg. Northam The company had planned to complete a feasibility study
sold its production to Heraeus South Africa (Pty) Ltd. for refining. on Waterberg, which is located in the Northern Limb of the
Heraeus’ production of refined platinum at Port Elizabeth Bushveld Complex, by the end of 2017. Depending on mining
decreased to 8,057 kg in 2017 from 8,238 kg in 2016, and that rights and other permits and the results of the study, mining
of refined palladium, to 3,917 kg from 4,011 kg. The company could start by mid-2021. Planned production was 23,100 kg/yr

37.8 U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY MINERALS YEARBOOK—2017–2018

of PGMs (including gold, but not ruthenium or iridium), of Titanium slag production by RBM was about 880,000 t in
which palladium would account for 63%; platinum, 30%; gold, 2012. Production was estimated to have decreased by nearly
6%; and rhodium, 1%. The estimated life of the mine was 35% between 2012 and 2016 because of reduced global demand
18 years. As of the end of 2017, the feasibility study had not on world markets. Titanium slag production was estimated to
been completed (Breytenbach, 2016; Engineering & Mining have increased by 10% between 2016 and 2017 (Rio Tinto plc,
Journal, 2016; Liedtke, 2018a). 2013, p. 10; 2017, p. 12).
In 2017, Wesizwe Platinum Ltd. was engaged in the Zircon production by RBM was about 264,000 t in 2012,
development of the Bakubung Mine in North West Province. and rutile production, about 97,000 t. Rutile production was
Wesizwe planned to start mining in the fourth quarter of 2018 and estimated to have decreased by more than 35% between 2012
reach the full capacity of 13,000 kg/yr of PGMs (including gold, and 2016 because of reduced global demand on world markets,
but not ruthenium or iridium) in 2021. Platinum was expected to and zircon production, by nearly 30%. Rutile and zircon
account for 62.4% of PGM production; palladium, 28%; rhodium, production were estimated to have increased by about 10% and
7.4%; and gold, 2.2%. The estimated life of the mine was 30 years 5%, respectively, between 2016 and 2017. RBM’s zircon output
(Engineering & Mining Journal, 2015; Cornish, 2018b). could increase by 90,000 t/yr after the opening of the Zulti
In 2017, Ivanhoe Mines Ltd. of Canada completed a South Mine in 2019 (Rio Tinto plc, 2013, p. 10; 2017, p. 12;
feasibility study on the first phase of a new mine at its Platreef Munyu, 2016).
project. In the first phase of mining, Ivanhoe would mine about Tronox Ltd. of the United States’ (Exxaro Resources Ltd.,
4 Mt/yr of ore. Production was likely to be 9,500 t/yr of nickel, 44.65%) Namakwa Sands project produced 121,000 t of zircon in
5,900 t/yr of copper, and 14,800 kg/yr of PGMs (including 2017 compared with 133,000 t in 2016. Titanium slag production
gold, but not ruthenium or iridium). In the second phase, ore increased to 180,000 t in 2017 from 113,000 t in 2016; rutile
production could increase to 8 Mt/yr, and in the third phase, production increased to 30,000 t from 26,000 t. The company’s
to 12 Mt/yr. Mining could start at Platreef, which is located ilmenite production was estimated to be about 450,000 t in 2017
in the northern limb of the Bushveld Complex, in early 2022 compared with 490,000 t in 2016 (Tronox Ltd., 2017, p. 36;
(Engineering & Mining Journal, 2017). 2018, p. 33).
Silicon.—Ferroglobe plc of the United Kingdom produced Large-scale mining started at Tronox’s Fairbreeze Mine
silicon metal at its eMalahleni and Polokwane plants; the in April 2016. By yearend, the company produced 114,000 t
company also produced ferrosilicon at eMalahleni. At the end of titanium slag, 31,000 t of zircon, and 12,000 t of rutile.
of June 2016, Ferroglobe shut down silicon metal production Ilmenite production was estimated to be about 260,000 t
at eMalahleni and Polokwane because of high power costs and in 2016. Titanium slag production was 179,000 t in 2017;
reduced demand in world markets. In August 2017, the National zircon, 46,000 t; and rutile, 19,000 t. Ilmenite production was
Energy Regulator of South Africa approved Government-owned estimated to be 410,000 t in 2017. Fairbreeze had a capacity of
power company Eskom’s application to provide power to the 500,000 t/yr of ilmenite, 55,000 t/yr of zircon, and 25,000 t/yr of
plants at a reduced price. As of November, the plants were still leucoxene and rutile; the estimated life of the mine was 12 years
not producing silicon metal (Njobeni, 2017). (Tronox Ltd., 2017, p. 31, 35–36, 38, 41; 2018, p. 33).
Titanium and Zirconium.—Richards Bay Minerals (RBM) Mineral Commodities Ltd. (MCL) of Australia operated
(Rio Tinto plc, 74%; Blue Horizon Investments, 24%; and the Tormin Mine in Western Cape Province. In 2017, the
RBM permanent employees, 2%) of the United Kingdom was company produced 138,913 t of ilmenite, 15,624 t of zircon,
South Africa’s leading producer of ilmenite, rutile, and zircon; and 3,914 t of rutile. In 2016, production was a revised
the company also produced pig iron and processed ilmenite to 162,123 t of ilmenite, 26,537 t of zircon, and 4,777 t of rutile.
titanium slag. About 95% of RBM’s total pig iron, rutile, titanium Rutile and zircon production decreased in 2017 because of
slag, and zircon output was exported (Rio Tinto plc, 2017, p. 8). lower ore grades. MCL planned to produce between 100,000
RBM mined nearly 1.8 Mt of ilmenite from the Zulti North and 130,000 t of ilmenite and a total of between 20,000 and
deposit in 2013. Based on titanium slag production levels, 25,000 t of rutile and zircon in 2018 (Caruso, 2018, p. 12;
production was estimated to have decreased by more than 35% Mineral Commodities Ltd., 2018, p. 12, 19).
between 2013 and 2016 because of reduced global demand MCL planned to obtain permits in 2018 that could extend
on world markets. Ilmenite production was estimated to have Tormin’s life by at least 10 years. The company was engaged
decreased by between 5% and 10% between 2016 and 2017 in a study on a new mineral separation plant that would
(Rio Tinto plc, 2014, p. 28; 2017, p. 12). produce 250,000 t/yr of finished ilmenite and 16,000 t/yr
Production at Zulti North was expected to decrease after 2019; of finished rutile and zircon. The plant also would increase
RBM was engaged in a feasibility study on the development of rutile and zircon concentrate capacity by 66,000 t/yr
the Zulti South deposit as of yearend. Depending on the result of (Caruso, 2018, p. 8, 15).
the study, the company could start construction at Zulti South in Most of the titanium slag produced in South Africa was
2018, and mining, in 2020. Based on previous production plans, exported before additional processing. In 2017, Nyanza Light
RBM’s total ilmenite production could increase to more than Metals Ltd. (Arkein Group of Companies, 80%, and Highveld,
2.2 Mt/yr. Reserves at Zulti North and Zulti South were expected 20%) announced plans to build a new TiO2 pigment plant in
to be depleted in 2037 and 2044, respectively (Rio Tinto plc, the Richards Bay Industrial Development Zone. The company
2014, p. 28; 2017, p. 8; Munyu, 2016; Carnie, 2018). could produce 50,000 t/yr of TiO2 pigment starting in 2019.
Pigment would be produced using titanium-rich wastes

south africa—2017–2018 37.9

from Highveld’s iron ore and vanadium mining operations. Diamond.—In 2017, diamond production was 9.7 million
Africa’s consumption of TiO2 pigment was estimated to be carats compared with a revised 8.31 million carats in 2016 and
130,000 t/yr, of which South Africa accounted for 35,000 t/yr 15.25 million carats in 2007. Lower production was attributable
(Tshethlanyane, 2017). to decreased production at the Cullinan, the Finsch, and the
Vanadium.—Glencore produced vanadium pentoxide Venetia Mine (Chamber of Mines of South Africa, 2015, p. 26;
(V2O5) and ferrovanadium at the Rhovan Mine and smelter in Mpuleng Galane, Deputy Director of Statistics, Department of
Brits. In 2017, the production of V2O5 at Rhovan was nearly Minerals and Energy of the Republic of South Africa, written
9,500 t compared with 9,600 t in 2016. The estimated remaining commun., August 24, 2018).
life of the Rhovan Mine was 30 years (Buchholz and Foya, The De Beers Group of Companies accounted for the majority
2017, p. 49; Glencore plc, 2018a, p. 16). of South Africa’s rough diamond production. In 2017, the
Bushveld Minerals Ltd. of the United Kingdom operated the company’s total output increased to 5.21 million carats from
Vametco Mine and Brits plant. In 2016, Vametco produced at 4.23 million carats in 2016. The Venetia Mine’s production
its full capacity of 2,850 t/yr of contained vanadium. In 2017, increased to 4.6 million carats from 3.52 million carats, and the
Bushveld started an expansion at Vametco. The company Voorspoed Mine’s production decreased to 606,000 carats from
increased production to nearly 3,040 t/yr of contained vanadium 649,000 carats (Anglo American plc, 2018, p. 3).
in the third quarter of 2017 and planned to reach 3,750 t/yr In 2017, De Beers was engaged in the construction of the
by June 2018 and more than 5,000 t/yr by the end of 2019. In Venetia Underground project, which would extend the life of the
December, Bushveld increased its share in Vametco to 59.1% Venetia Mine from 2023 to 2045 by building a new underground
(Buchholz and Foya, 2017, p. 52; Kotze, 2018a). mine. Production from Venetia Underground was expected to
In 2016, Bushveld completed a prefeasibility study on a new start by 2021 and to reach its full capacity of 4.5 million carats
mine at its Mokopane vanadium project. The company could per year by 2026 (Cornish, 2018c).
produce about 9,500 t/yr of V2O5 from 1 Mt/yr of titaniferous In 2017, diamond production by Petra Diamonds Ltd. at
magnetite ore. The estimated life of the mine was at least the Finsch Mine remained unchanged at 2.15 million carats.
30 years. As of the end of 2017, it was unclear when further Production increased at the Cullinan Mine to 974,000 carats
studies on the mine would proceed (Buchholz and Foya, in 2017 from 778,000 carats in 2016 and decreased at the
2017, p. 52–54; Kotze, 2018a). Koffiefontein Mine to about 48,000 carats from 55,000 carats.
The Kimberley Ekapa Mining joint venture produced
Industrial Minerals 965,000 carats in 2017 (Petra Diamonds Ltd., 2017a, p. 11–16;
2018b, p. 14–18).
Cement.—In 2017, South Africa had six cement producers
Petra planned to ramp up production at the Cullinan and
with a total capacity of 20.5 Mt/yr of cement. Pretoria Portland
the Koffiefontein Mines to 2.2 million carats per year and
Cement Co. (Pty) Ltd. (PPC) had a combined cement capacity
85,000 carats per year, respectively, by mid-2019. The company
of 7 Mt/yr; AfriSam Consortium (Pty) Ltd., 4.6 Mt/yr; Lafarge
also planned to maintain output at Finsch and Kimberley
Industries South Africa (Pty) Ltd., 3.2 Mt/yr; Dangote Cement
at 2 million carats per year and 570,000 carats per year,
South Africa (Pty) Ltd., 2.9 Mt/yr; Natal Portland Cement Co.
respectively, after mid-2019 (Petra Diamonds Ltd., 2017b).
(Pty) Ltd., 1.8 Mt/yr; and Mamba Cement Company (Pty)
Fluorspar.—In 2017, South Africa’s production of fluorspar
Ltd., 1 Mt/yr. Dangote and Mamba’s plants were completed
was 223,000 t compared with 177,000 t in 2016. Minerales
in 2014 and 2015, respectively. Overcapacity in the industry
y Productos Derivados SA of Spain held an 85% share in the
was expected to last for about 10 years (table 2; International
Vergenoeg Mine, which was South Africa’s only active fluorspar
Cement Review, 2018).
mine at the end of 2017. Vergenoeg’s production capacity
PPC planned to expand the capacity of its Slurry plant to
of acid-grade fluorspar was 250,000 t/yr, and its production
2 Mt/yr from 1.5 Mt/yr by the second quarter of 2018. Osho
capacity of metal-grade fluorspar powder and briquette,
Cement (Pty) Ltd. (Osho Ventures Ltd. of the United Arab
30,000 t/yr (table 1; Modiselle, 2017).
Emirates, 60%, and HeidelbergCement AG of Germany, 40%)
About 95% of South Africa’s fluorspar sales were exports
planned to build two new clinker grinding plants near Port
to Europe and India; only 5% was consumed in South Africa
Elizabeth and Richards Bay with a capacity of 600,000 t/yr
because of a lack of domestic processing facilities. Pelchem
each of cement. The Port Elizabeth plant was expected to be
SOC (a subsidiary of South African Nuclear Energy Corp.) used
completed by 2018; it was unclear when the Richards Bay plant
fluorspar in the production of hydrofluoric acid (Modiselle, 2017).
would be built (International Cement Review, 2013, 2018; Osho
Sephaku Fluoride Ltd. (SepFluor) started construction on its
Ventures Ltd., undated).
Nokeng Mine at Rust de Winter in 2017.The company planned
Clay and Shale.—In 2017, South Africa’s sales of brick clay
to produce 180,000 t/yr of acid-grade fluorspar and 30,000 t/yr
increased to 7.46 Mt from 6.67 Mt in 2016. The production of
of metallurgical-grade fluorspar from the Outwash Fan and
shale for use in bricks decreased to 1.09 Mt in 2017 from 1.36
Plattekop deposits. Mining was expected to start in early 2019;
Mt in 2016, and shale for use in cement, to 356,000 t from
the estimated life of the Nokeng Mine was 19 years. In 2016,
395,000 t. In early 2016, brick clay and shale were produced at
SepFluor put its plans to build a new fluorochemicals plant
as many as 147 mines (Lourens and DeWater, 2016, p. 61–70,
that would consume fluorspar from Nokeng on hold because of
78–80, 91, 93, 111, 115, 119; Mpuleng Galane, Deputy Director
difficulties in raising funds and unfavorable conditions on world
of Statistics, Department of Minerals and Energy of the
markets (Modiselle, 2017).
Republic of South Africa, written commun., August 24, 2018).

37.10 U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY MINERALS YEARBOOK—2017–2018

 Garnet, Industrial.—MCL produced industrial garnet from 2016, p. 68–69, 71, 78–81, 83–121; Mpuleng Galane, Deputy
the Tormin Mine. In 2017, the company produced 211,394 t Director of Statistics, Department of Minerals and Energy of the
compared with a revised 254,693 t in 2016 and 284,990 t in 2015. Republic of South Africa, written commun., August 24, 2018).
The company was engaged in a study on a new mineral separation Sand, Industrial.—In 2017, South Africa’s production
plant that would produce 165,000 t/yr of finished garnet. of silica sand increased to 2.4 Mt from 1.89 Mt in 2016.
The plant also would increase garnet concentrate capacity by In early 2016, silica sand was produced at as many as 25 mines.
210,000 t/yr (Caruso, 2018, p. 12, 15). Silica sand was consumed by Consol Glass (Pty) Ltd., Nampak
Kyanite and Related Materials.—South Africa was the Glass (Pty) Ltd., and other companies in the production of
world’s leading producer of andalusite. In 2016, national glass. Consol produced about 850,000 t/yr of glass from four
production decreased to an estimated 160,000 t from 190,000 t plants (Lourens and DeWater, 2016, p. 76, 83–85, 90; Consol
in 2015. Output decreased because of equipment problems, Glass (Pty) Ltd., undated; Mpuleng Galane, Deputy Director of
water shortages, and the closure of domestic steel plants that Statistics, Department of Minerals and Energy of the Republic
consumed andalusite for refractories. In 2017, production of South Africa, written commun., August 24, 2018).
increased to about 180,000 t in spite of heavy rains at the start of Stone, Crushed.—In 2017, South Africa’s production of
the year (Ghilotti, 2018; Modiselle, 2018). limestone increased to nearly 23.8 Mt from 23.4 Mt in 2016.
Imerys South Africa (Pty) Ltd. (a subsidiary of Imerys In early 2016, limestone was produced by cement companies
Group of France) operated the Annesley, the Segorong, and the and other producers at as many as 43 mines. Limestone sales
Thabazimbi Mines. The company increased its production in for use in cement were 14.6 Mt in 2017; metallurgy, 2.08 Mt;
2017 with new equipment at Annesley and the reopening of a agriculture, 1.74 Mt; and other, 1.39 Mt (Lourens and DeWater,
crushing plant at Thabazimbi. Andalusite Resources (Pty) Ltd. 2016, p. 78–80, 100; Mpuleng Galane, Deputy Director of
operated the Maroeloesfontein Mine, which had a capacity Statistics, Department of Minerals and Energy of the Republic
of more than 70,000 t/yr. In April 2015, the Government’s of South Africa, written commun., August 24, 2018).
Competition Committee blocked a proposed merger between Stone, Dimension.—In 2017, South Africa’s sales of granite
Imerys and Andalusite Resources. The companies appealed the dimension stone decreased to 286,147 t from 307,540 t in
Competition Committee’s decision; the Competition Appeals 2016. About 62% of granite sales were domestic in 2017.
Court upheld the decision in early March 2017 (table 2; Ghilotti, Granite accounted for more than 99% of the volume of national
2018; Lassetter, 2018; Modiselle, 2018). dimension stone sales. In early 2016, granite was produced at as
Phosphate Rock.—Foskor was South Africa’s leading many as 57 mines; sandstone, 7 mines; slate, 6 mines; and other
producer of phosphate rock. In 2017, national phosphate rock dimension stone, 2 mines (Lourens and DeWater, 2016, p. 71–
production increased to 2.08 Mt from 1.7 Mt in 2016. Between 75; Mpuleng Galane, Deputy Director of Statistics, Department
October 2016 and March 2017, domestic sales of phosphate of Minerals and Energy of the Republic of South Africa, written
rock were at the rate of 2.04 Mt/yr, and export sales, about commun., August 24, 2018).
450,000 t/yr (table 1; Muravha, 2017). Vermiculite.—Palabora Mining was the world’s leading
Foskor consumed phosphate rock in the production of producer of vermiculite. The company had planned to increase
phosphoric acid and fertilizers. including monoammonium production at the Palabora Mine to 150,000 t/yr by the end of
phosphate and diammonium phosphate at its plant in Richards 2015 and subsequently to its full capacity of 200,000 t/yr. In
Bay. In its 2017 fiscal year (which started on April 1, 2016, and 2017, production at the Palabora Mine was 166,084 t, which
ended on March 31, 2017), the company produced 450,000 t of was nearly unchanged from that of 2016. Between October
phosphoric acid compared with 307,000 t in fiscal year 2016. 2016 and March 2017, export sales of vermiculite were at the
Fertilizer production increased to 324,000 t from 198,000 t. rate of 43,000 t/yr, and domestic sales, 8,800 t/yr. Agriculture
Increased production was attributable to improved equipment. and horticulture accounted for a total of about 80% of domestic
By fiscal year 2018, Foskor planned to increase phosphate consumption, and construction and insulation, about 20%
rock output to 2.3 Mt/yr; phosphoric acid, to 510,000 t/yr; and (tables 1, 2; Muravha, 2015; Radipabe, 2017; Mpuleng Galane,
fertilizers, to 400,000 t/yr (Foskor (Pty) Ltd., 2017, p. 3, 27, 40). Deputy Director of Statistics, Department of Minerals and
Kropz Elandsfontein (Pty) Ltd. and African Rainbow Capital Energy of the Republic of South Africa, written commun.,
(Pty) Ltd. planned to start production at the Elandsfontein Mine, August 24, 2018).
which is located in Western Cape Province, in the first quarter of
2017. The companies planned to produce 1.5 Mt/yr of phosphate Mineral Fuels and Related Materials
rock for domestic and export markets. In August, Kropz
Coal.—In 2017, coal production was about 252.4 Mt
announced that the commissioning of the mine was delayed for
compared with 250.6 Mt in 2016 and 247.7 Mt in 2007. Power
an undetermined period of time (Kropz Elandsfontein (Pty) Ltd.,
generation consumed about 120 Mt/yr of coal; synthetic fuels,
2017; Mining Mirror, 2017).
about 40 Mt/yr; and the cement, chemical, metals, and other
Sand, Construction.—In 2017, South Africa’s production of
industries, about 22 Mt/yr. About 70 Mt/yr was exported
aggregates increased to 52.4 Mt from 51 Mt in 2016. National
(Chamber of Mines of South Africa, 2015, p. 20; Prevost, 2017;
production of sand for construction decreased to nearly 14.4 Mt
Mpuleng Galane, Deputy Director of Statistics, Department of
in 2017 from 14.6 Mt in 2016. In early 2016, aggregates and
Minerals and Energy of the Republic of South Africa, written
construction sand were produced by cement producers and other
commun., August 24, 2018).
companies at as many as 595 mines (Lourens and DeWater,

south africa—2017–2018 37.11

 Anglo American’s coal production was 49.9 Mt in 2017 by mid-2019 (African Rainbow Minerals, 2017a, p. 57–59;
compared with 53.8 Mt in 2016. The New Vaal Mine produced 2017b, p. 19–20; 2018b, p. 56–57).
15.1 Mt in 2017; the Zibulo Mine, 6.23 Mt; the Khwezela In late 2017, Glencore started mining at Zonnebloem, which
Mine (which was formed by the merger of the Kleinkopje was part of the Impunzi complex. Based on an estimated mine
and the Landau Mines), 5.71 Mt; the Kriel Mine, 5.39 Mt; the life of 24 years, production could be as much as 3.3 Mt/yr of
Goedehoop Mine, 4.65 Mt; the Isibonelo Mine, 4.06 Mt; the salable coal (Glencore plc, 2018b, p. 54, 58).
Greenside Mine, 3.83 Mt; the New Denmark Mine, 3.36 Mt; Izimbiwa Coal (Pty) Ltd. (Phembani Group, 50.01%, and
and the Mafube Mine, 1.56 Mt. In 2017, output increased Glencore, 49.99%) operated the Corobrik, the Graspan and
at New Denmark and Zibulo by 32% and 4%, respectively. the Steelcoal Mines. In 2017, salable coal production at the
Production decreased at Khwezela by 30% in 2017; Kriel, by company’s mines was more than 3 Mt compared with about
15%; Mafube, by 11%; and Isibonelo, by 8%. About 40% of the 4 Mt in 2016 (Inside Mining, 2014; Glencore plc, 2017, p. 58;
company’s production was exported in 2017 (Anglo American 2018b, p. 58).
plc, 2018, p. 12–13). Umcebo Mining Ltd. (Glencore, 48.7%) operated the
Exxaro’s coal production increased to 45 Mt in 2017 from Wonderfontein Mine; production at Wonderfontein was about
42.8 Mt in 2016. Output at the Grootegeluk Mine was 22.6 Mt 3 Mt/yr in 2016 and 2017. The company’s joint-venture
in 2016; the Matla Mine, 7.9 Mt; Exxaro Coal Central (ECC), Wildfontein Mine produced 1.9 Mt of salable coal in 2016 before
3.9 Mt; the Leeuwpan Mine, 3.78 Mt; the North Block Complex, being depleted (Glencore plc, 2017, p. 55, 57–58; 2018b, p. 59).
2.86 Mt; and the Mafube Mine, 1.76 Mt. In 2017, production South32 produced coal at the Khutala, the Klipspruit, the
increased at Grootegeluk to 25.5 Mt and decreased at Leeuwpan Middelburg, and the Wolverkrans Mines in Mpumalanga
and Mafube to 3.36 Mt and 1.64 Mt, respectively. The North Province. In 2017, the company’s output decreased to 27.5 Mt
Block Complex was scheduled to be shut down in 2018 (Tex from 30.1 Mt in 2016 because of reduced demand from
Report, The 2017b; Exxaro Resources Ltd., 2018, p. 77–78). the Duvha power station. South32 planned to spend about
In 2017, Exxaro and joint-venture partner Anglo American $300 million to extend the remaining life of Klipspruit by about
were engaged in the construction of the Mafube Nooitgedacht 20 years (South32 Ltd., 2017, 2018; Tex Report, The, 2017e).
project. Mining was expected to start in the second quarter of Tegeta Exploration & Resources (Pty) Ltd operated the
2018; planned production was 3.1 Mt/yr of thermal coal. Exxaro Brakfontein Mine, the Koornfontein Mines, and the Optimum
started construction on the new Belfast Mine and the Leeuwpan Complex. The company produced coal at Optimum at the rate
O/I project in the fourth quarter of 2017. The Leeuwpan O/I of more than 6 Mt/yr between June 2016 and December 2017,
project and the Belfast Mine were expected to produce 2.7 Mt/yr of which nearly 4 Mt/yr was supplied to Eskom and more than
each of thermal coal, and they were to start production in the 2 Mt/yr was exported. Tegeta also had a contract with Eskom
third quarter of 2018 and the first half of 2020, respectively. to supply 2.4 Mt/yr of coal from Koornfontein between 2016
Exxaro also was engaged in the expansion of Grootegeluk’s and 2023. Brakfontein supplied coal to Eskom at the rate of
capacity by 1.7 Mt/yr in 2017; the project could be completed 1.2 Mt/yr in 2016 (Steyn, 2017; Cowan and Skiti, 2018).
by 2020 (Exxaro Resources Ltd., 2018, p. 40–41, 69). Mbuyelo Coal (Pty) Ltd. (Mbuyelo Group, 49% and IchorCoal
Exxaro planned to obtain financing and finalize power and N.V. of the Netherlands, 45%) operated the Manungu, the
water agreements for its new Thabametsi Mine by mid-2018. Rirhandzu, the Vlakvarkfontein, and the Welgemeend Mines.
The company planned to start mining at Thabametsi in 2021 Welgemeend produced 2.79 Mt in 2016, and Rirhandzu, 1.3 Mt.
and to produce 3.9 Mt/yr of thermal coal to supply a new power In October 2016, production at Manungu and Vlakvarkfontein
station. At yearend, Exxaro was engaged in a legal dispute was at the rate of 1.7 Mt/yr and 1.2 Mt/yr, respectively. The
regarding the environmental authorization for the power station company planned to increase its total production to about
(Exxaro Resources Ltd., 2018, p. 41–42). 10 Mt/yr between late 2019 and late 2021. Output at Manungu
In fiscal year 2017 (which started on July 1, 2016, and ended was expected to increase to 3 Mt/yr by 2018; Mbuyelo also
on June 30, 2017), Sasol Ltd.’s coal production decreased to planned to start mining at Welstand by late 2018. As of
37.6 Mt from 42.3 Mt in fiscal year 2016. The Syferfontein October 2016, the remaining life of the Manungu Mine was at
Mine accounted for 10.9 Mt; the Twistdraai Mine, 7.9 Mt; least 30 years; the Welgemeend Mine, 15 years; the Rirhandzu
the Middelbult Mine, 6.5 Mt; the Bosjesspruit Mine, 6.1 Mt; Mine, 8 years; and the Vlakvarkfontein Mine, 3.5 years
the Brandspruit Mine, 2.8 Mt; the Impumelelo Mine, 2.2 Mt; (Solomons, 2016; Revombo and others, 2018, p. 23–24).
and the Sigma Mine, 1.2 Mt. Most of Sasol’s coal production Wescoal Holdings Ltd. operated the Elandspruit, the Intibane,
was consumed in the company’s synthetic fuel operations and the Khanyisa Mines at the start of 2017. The company
(Sasol Ltd., 2017, p. 36). purchased Keaton Energy Holdings Ltd., which operated the
Glencore and ARM operated the Goedgevonden Complex, Vanggatfontein Mine in Mpumalanga Province, in the third
the Impunzi Complex, and the Tweefontein Complex. Output quarter of 2017. Total sales from the mines were at the rate of
at Goedgevonden decreased to 6.16 Mt in 2017 from 6.81 Mt 4.8 Mt/yr between April and September. In December, run-
in 2016 and increased to a total of 17.2 Mt from 15.8 Mt at of-mine production from Vanggatfontein was at the rate of
Impunzi and Tweefontein. Glencore and ARM planned to 2.5 Mt/yr; Elandspruit, about 2 Mt/yr; Khanyisa, 1.2 Mt/yr; and
maintain total sales from Impunzi and Tweefontein at between Intibane, about 1 Mt/yr. Wescoal planned to make an investment
17 and 18 Mt/yr through at least mid-2020. The companies also decision on the Moabsvelden project, which could produce
planned to increase sales from Goedgevonden to about 8 Mt/yr

37.12 U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY MINERALS YEARBOOK—2017–2018

between 1.5 and 2 Mt/yr of run-of-mine coal, after January 2018 DRDGold (Sibanye Gold Ltd., 2017, p. 53; Pretorius and others,
(Kotze, 2017c). 2018, p. 2, 23; Sibanye-Stillwater Ltd., 2018, p. 26, 67).
In the second half of 2017, Universal Coal plc of the In 2013, Peninsula Energy Ltd. of Australia completed a
United Kingdom’s sales from the Kangala Mine and the New scoping study with favorable results of a new mine at its Karoo
Clydesdale Colliery (NCC) in Mpumalanga Province were project. Planned production in the study was nearly 1,400 t/yr
4.7 Mt/yr compared with nearly 2.5 Mt/yr in the second half of of U3O8. The company was engaged in a prefeasibility study
2016. Increased production was attributable to the reopening in 2016. Contained resources at Karoo were estimated to be
of NCC, which had been on care-and-maintenance status, in 25,800 t of U3O8. In October 2017, the company announced
September 2016. Universal planned to supply 1.2 Mt/yr of plans to divest its interest in the project because of its plans to
thermal coal from NCC to Eskom for 7 years and 650,000 t/yr focus on mining uranium in the United States (Andrews, 2015b,
of thermal coal to export markets for 5 years (Tex Report, 2016; Peninsula Energy Ltd., 2017).
The, 2017d, g; 2018).
Menar Holding (Pty) Ltd. of Luxembourg held controlling MINERAL INDUSTRY HIGHLIGHTS IN 2018
interests in Canyon Coal (Pty) Ltd., which operated the
Hakhano, the Phalanndwa, and the Singani Mines, and in In 2018, the GDP was about $237 billion.1 The mining and
Zululand Anthracite Colliery (Pty) Ltd. In 2016, total production quarrying sector accounted for 7.2% of the GDP. The principal
at Menar’s mines was 3.06 Mt compared with 3.42 Mt in 2015. mineral exports were coal, ferrochromium, gold, iron ore,
In October 2017, Canyon was producing at the rate of 3.6 Mt/yr manganese ore, and PGMs (Minerals Council South Africa,
at Hakhano, Phalanndwa, and Singani compared with 2.4 Mt/yr 2019, p. 8, 22, 26, 28 30, 32).
in 2016. Canyon planned to increase its production to 10 Mt/yr
by 2020 by opening the new Khanye, Springfield, and Ukufisa Production
Mines (Solomons, 2017a; Revombo and others, 2018, p. 35–36).
In 2018, silicon metal production increased by an estimated
Hosken Consolidated Coal (Pty) Ltd. produced a total of
920%; slate, by an estimated 136%; ferrosilicon, by an estimated
4.22 Mt at the Mbali and the Palesa Mines in 2016 compared
104%; pyrophyllite, by 78%; mica, by 52%; tellurium, by an
with 4.15 Mt in 2015. Eyethu Coal (Pty) Ltd. produced a total
estimated 45%; industrial garnet, by 32%; fire clay, by 22%;
of 2.7 Mt at the Klipfontein, the Leeuwpoort, and the TNDB
selenium, by an estimated 17%; anthracite, by 15%; mined
Mines in 2016 compared with 2.37 Mt in 2015. IchorCoal’s
ruthenium, by 14%; magnesite, by an estimated 13%; and
production at the Vunene Mine decreased to 1.45 Mt in 2016
andalusite and metallurgical coal, by an estimated 11% each.
from 1.87 Mt in 2015. The company also planned to restart the
Plastic clay production restarted in 2018. Flint clay production
Usutu Mine; production was expected to reach 1.6 Mt/yr by the
decreased by 56% in 2018; granite, by 47%; uranium, by an
fourth quarter of 2018 (Andrews, 2017a; Revombo and others,
estimated 37%; feldspar, by 34%; refined copper, by 28%; mined
2018, p. 21–22, 33–34, 40–41).
copper and mined lead, by 27% each; silver, by 26%; brick clay,
Resource Generation Ltd. (Resgen) of Australia planned to
kaolin, and natural gas liquids, by 24% each; sodium sulfate, by
build the new Boikarabelo Mine in the Waterberg coalfield. The
23%; shale for use in brick, 22%; natural gas, by 17%; mined
company hoped to obtain financing by the second quarter of
gold and vermiculite, by 15% each; shale for use in cement, 14%;
2018 and to start mining by the third quarter of 2020. Resgen
mined nickel and nickel matte, by 11% each; and titaniferous slag,
planned to produce 15 Mt/yr of run-of-mine coal at Boikarabelo,
by an estimated 10% (table 1; Galane, 2018; Precious Satsha,
of which 6.5 Mt/yr would be salable (Resource Generation Ltd.,
Administrative Officer, Department of Minerals and Energy of the
2017, p. 5, 7, 20).
Republic of South Africa, written commun., May 14, 2019).
Coal of Africa Ltd. planned to start mining at the Makhado
project at the Southpansberg coalfield in Limpopo Province in Commodity Review
2019. The company planned to produce 4 Mt/yr of run-of-mine
coal, of which between 1.6 and 1.8 Mt/yr would be salable, Metals
during the estimated 29-year life of the mine. Thermal coal was
expected to account for between 900,000 t/yr and 1 Mt/yr, and Chromium.—Glencore and Merafe mined 4 Mt of chromite
coking coal, between 700,000 and 800,000 t/yr. In December in 2018 compared with 3.8 Mt in 2017. Total production at
2017, Coal of Africa changed its name to MC Mining Ltd. Glencore and Merafe’s ferrochromium plants increased to
(Tex Report, The, 2017a). 1.99 Mt in 2018 from 1.93 Mt in 2017 (Glencore plc, 2019,
Uranium.—AngloGold Ashanti mined uranium as a coproduct p. 15; Merafe Resources Ltd., 2019, p. 5).
of gold. The company’s production of uranium oxide (U3O8) In fiscal year 2018, Tharisa produced about 1.45 Mt of
from its Kopanang and Moab Khotsong Mines was about chromite at the Tharisa Mine compared with 1.33 Mt in fiscal
360 t/yr in 2016 and 2017 (AngloGold Ashanti Ltd., 2018, p. 23). year 2017. Northam produced 650,000 t of chromite in its fiscal
In 2016, Sibanye-Stillwater produced 66 t of U3O8 from the year 2018 compared with 581,000 t in fiscal year 2017. The
Cooke Operations as a coproduct of gold. The company planned company planned to increase production to more than 1 Mt/yr
to recover uranium from tailings at WRTRP starting in 2018. by 2020. Lonmin’s sales of chromite from UG2 ore increased
Production could be as much as 910 t/yr of U3O8 between 2018
and 2039. In November 2017, the company proposed to sell 1
Where necessary, values have been converted from South African rand (R)
its WRTRP assets to DRDGold in return for a 38% share in to U.S. dollars (US$) at an annual average exchange rate of R13.258=US$1.00
for 2018.

south africa—2017–2018 37.13

to 1.7 Mt in 2018 from 1.37 Mt in 2017. Amplats produced to 13,193 t in 2018 from 15,981 t in 2017 (African Rainbow
859,000 t of chromite from UG2 ore in 2018 compared with Minerals, 2018b, p. 58; 2019, p. 68; Impala Platinum Holdings
978,800 t in 2017 (James, 2018; Lonmin plc, 2018a, p. 183; Ltd., 2018a, p. 57, 68; 2019, p. 65, 75; Anglo American
2018b; 2019; Tharisa Minerals (Pty) Ltd., 2018, p. 3; Anglo Platinum Ltd., 2019, p. 45).
American Platinum Ltd., 2019, p. 45). Platinum-Group Metals.—In 2018, Amplats produced about
Gold.—Sibanye-Stillwater produced a total of 34,756 kg of 145,500 kg of refined PGMs compared with 155,500 kg in 2017.
gold at the Beatrix, the Driefontein, and the Kloof Mines and the Refined platinum production was 74,723 kg in 2018; refined
Cooke Operations in 2018 compared with 43,634 kg in 2017. palladium, 46,711 kg; refined rhodium, 9,107 kg; and refined
Most of the decrease was attributable to decreased production at iridium and ruthenium, a total of about 15,000 kg. At the start
the Driefontein Mine. The reopening of the Burnstone Mine was of February 2018, Amplats sold its interest in the Union Mine to
delayed until 2021 (Sibanye-Stillwater Ltd., 2019, p. 68–69, 71). Siyanda Resources (Pty) Ltd. Amplats increased its share in the
AngloGold Ashanti produced more than 8,200 kg of gold at Mototolo Platinum Mine to 100% at the end of October (Anglo
the Mponeng Mine and 5,300 kg at its surface operations in American Platinum Ltd., 2019, p. 45, 56. 60).
2018. In January and February 2018, mining at the Kopanang Implats produced 95,799 kg of refined PGMs in 2018
and the Moab Khotsong Mines was at the rate of 2,200 kg/yr compared with 92,685 kg in 2017. Platinum accounted for about
and 7,300 kg/yr, respectively. AngloGold Ashanti sold 50,300 kg in 2018; palladium, 28,200 kg; rhodium, 6,400 kg;
the Moab Khotsong Mine to Harmony and the Kopanang and iridium and ruthenium, a total of about 10,800 kg. ARM
Mine to Heaven-Sent at the end of February (AngloGold and Implats produced 10,285 kg at the Two Rivers Mine in 2018
Ashanti Ltd., 2019, p. 93). compared with 11,252 kg in 2017 (African Rainbow Minerals,
Gold Fields produced nearly 4,900 kg of gold at the South 2018b, p. 55; 2019, p. 66; Impala Platinum Holdings Ltd.,
Deep Mine in 2018 compared with 8,700 kg in 2017; the 2018a, p. 57, 68; 2019, p. 65, 75).
production target for 2018 was 7,600 kg. The company planned In 2018, Lonmin produced 38,475 kg of refined PGMs
to produce 6,000 kg at South Deep in 2019 (Seccombe, 2019). compared with a revised 41,883 kg in 2017. Lonmin’s mining
Lead and Zinc.—South Africa’s mined lead production operations produced 36,527 kg in 2018 compared with
decreased to about 35,000 t in 2018 from 48,150 t in 2017, 38,522 kg in 2017. Platinum accounted for 19,156 kg of PGM
and mined zinc, to 28,129 t from 30,778 t. Vedanta started zinc mine production in 2018; palladium, 8,961 kg; ruthenium,
production at the Gamsberg Mine in November 2018. In May, 4,676 kg; rhodium, 2,757 kg; and iridium, 977 kg (Lonmin Plc,
the company started a feasibility study on a new smelter and 2018a, p. 182–183; 2018b; 2019).
refinery near the mine site that would produce 250,000 t/yr of At the end of 2018, Wesizwe had not started mining at
zinc in the first phase of the mine’s production and subsequently Bakubung. As of November, Platinum Group Metals had
expand at the same time as the mine to 450,000 t/yr (table 1; not completed its feasibility study on the Waterberg project
Kotze, 2018b; Vedanta Resources Ltd., 2019). (Bulbulia, 2019).
Manganese.—In 2018, ARM produced 3.59 Mt of manganese Silicon.—In March 2018, Eskom implemented its agreement
ore at the Gloria and the Nchwaning Mines compared with to supply Ferroglobe’s eMalahleni and Polokwane plants with
3.62 Mt in 2017. The company’s ferromanganese production power at a reduced rate. By late May, the plants were operating
decreased to 151,000 t in 2018 from 162,000 t in 2017. ARM at full capacity (Slabbert, 2018).
planned to increase the total (combined) capacity at Gloria and Titanium and Zirconium.—In 2018, RBM’s production
Nchwaning to 5 Mt/yr; the rampup to full capacity was unlikely of ilmenite and titanium slag decreased by nearly 20%. The
to be completed until after 2023 (African Rainbow Minerals company’s operations were shut down during March and
Ltd., 2018a, p. 14, 78, 87; 2019, p. 52). April and again in July because of a dispute with contractors
Samancor Manganese produced 3.49 Mt of manganese (Holman, 2018).
ore at the Mamatwan and the Wessels Mines compared Tronox produced 119,000 t of zircon at Namakwa Sands
with 3.72 Mt in 2017. The company’s output of manganese in 2018 compared with 121,000 t in 2017. Titanium slag
alloys increased to 127,000 t in 2018 from 120,000 t in 2017 production remained nearly unchanged at 180,000 t in 2018;
(South32 Ltd., 2018, 2019). rutile production increased to 32,000 t in 2018 from 30,000 t
Jupiter and Ntsimbitntle produced manganese ore from in 2017. The company’s ilmenite production was estimated to
the Tshipi Borwa Mine at the rate of about 3.5 Mt/yr in 2018 be about 440,000 t in 2018 compared with 450,000 t in 2017
compared with 3 Mt/yr between March and August 2017. (Tronox Ltd., 2018, p. 33; 2019, p. 37).
UMK’s production at the Kalahari deposit increased to about Titanium slag production at Tronox’s Fairbreeze Mine increased
2.7 Mt in 2018 from 2 Mt in 2017 and AML’s production at to 194,000 t in 2018 from 179,000 t in 2017; zircon, to 53,000 t
Kudumane, to 1.6 Mt from 1.5 Mt (Burger, 2017; Jupiter Mines from 46,000 t; and rutile, to 22,000 t from 19,000 t. Ilmenite
Ltd., 2018, p. 18; 2019, p. 10) production was estimated to be 480,000 t in 2018 compared
Nickel.—Amplats produced 23,100 t of refined nickel in 2018 with 410,000 t in 2017 (Tronox Ltd., 2018, p. 33; 2019, p. 37).
compared with 26,100 t in 2017. More than 19,000 t of nickel Vanadium.—In 2018, Glencore’s production of V2O5 at
was mined at company’s South African PGM mining operations Rhovan was nearly 9,200 t compared with 9,500 t in 2017.
in 2018, which was nearly unchanged from that of 2017. Implats Bushveld produced 2,560 t of contained vanadium at Vametco
produced 16,400 t of refined nickel in 2018 compared with in 2018; the company completed the expansion of its capacity
17,100 t in 2017. ARM’s nickel output at Nkomati decreased to 3,750 t/yr in June. Bushveld planned to start construction of a

37.14 U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY MINERALS YEARBOOK—2017–2018

further expansion to 5,000 t/yr in 2020. The company increased Transnet SOC Ltd. planned to increase the capacity of railways
its share in Vametco to 74% in 2018 (Bushveld Minerals Ltd., for coal export to 81 Mt/yr from 70 Mt/yr by 2019; capacity
2019; Glencore plc, 2019, p. 5). was expected to increase to 110 Mt/yr by 2023 and 125 Mt/yr
by 2025. The capacity of the iron ore railways was expected
Industrial Minerals to increase to 71 Mt/yr from 60 Mt/yr by 2037. Transnet also
planned to increase the capacity of the manganese railways
Diamond.—De Beers mined a total of 4.68 million carats
to 16 Mt/yr from 6 Mt/yr by 2020. Manganese exports were
of diamond at Venetia and Voorspoed in 2018 compared with
expected to increase to more than 13 Mt/yr by 2030 (Transnet
5.21 million carats in 2017. Decreased production at Venetia
SOC Ltd., 2018, p. 52–54, 117).
was attributable to a safety stoppage and lower ore grades.
Increased coal production also depended on the construction
Voorspoed was placed on care-and-maintenance status in the
of new mines in the Waterberg coal field. Development of
fourth quarter of 2018 (De Beers Group, 2019).
new mines could be constrained by the lack of infrastructure
In 2018, Petra’s production at the Finsch Mine decreased
and water, the distances from domestic consumers and export
to 1.98 million carats from 2.15 million carats. Production
terminals, the greater mine depths, and the relatively low
increased at the Cullinan Mine to 1.59 million carats in 2018
quality of the coal. Reserves in the Central Basin, which
from 974,000 carats in 2017 and decreased at the Koffiefontein
produced most of South Africa’s coal, could be depleted in
Mine to about 53,000 carats from 55,000 carats. The Kimberley
20 years (Prevost, 2017).
Ekapa Mining joint venture produced at the rate of nearly
The long-term future of the domestic gold and PGM
1.1 million carats per year in the first half of 2018; Petra sold its
subsectors depended upon the adoption of mechanized mining
share in the mine to joint-venture partner Ekapa Mining (Pty)
methods. Increased mechanization could lead to an additional
Ltd. (Petra Diamonds Ltd., 2018a, p. 42; 2018b, p. 14–18; 2019,
590,000 kg of gold and 360,000 kg of platinum being mined
p. 12–14).
(along with other PGMs as coproducts). In 2016, the Government
Garnet, Industrial.—In 2018, MCL produced 278,205 t of
budgeted $10 million for the development of new mining
industrial garnet at the Tormin Mine compared with 211,394 t
technologies (Chamber of Mines of South Africa, 2018, p. 34).
in 2017. The company planned to produce between 270,000 and
In the PGM mining subsector, production could continue to
300,000 t in 2019 (Mineral Commodities Ltd., 2019, p. 15, 25).
shift away from platinum and towards other PGMs. Many PGM
Vermiculite.—In 2018, vermiculite production at the
mining companies are producing less ore from the platinum-rich
Palabora Mine decreased to 141,346 t from 166,084 t in
Merensky layer and more from the UG2 layer, which is rich in
2017. Mining was expected to continue at Palabora until 2045
other PGMs. Production also has shifted towards the deposits in
(Golder Associates Inc., 2019, p. 20).
the Platreef, which are more palladium-rich.
Mineral Fuels
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south africa—2017–2018 37.17

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exchange-releases/quarterly-report-december-2018.pdf?sfvrsn=a45175e3_2.) (Accessed March 22, 2019, at http://www.villagemainreef.co.za/assets/
Steyn, Lisa, 2017, Zupta coal contracts, by the numbers: Mail & Guardian operations-and-projects/tau-lekoa-mine)
[Johannesburg, South Africa], June 2. (Accessed March 8, 2019, at Washbourne, Michael, 2018, White Rivers teases new find: Australia’s Paydirt,
https://mg.co.za/article/2017-06-02-00-zupta-coal-contracts-by-the-numbers.) v. 1, no. 265, October, p. 69.
Tanner, A.O., 2019a, Kyanite and related materials: U.S. Geological Survey White Rivers Exploration (Pty) Ltd., 2017, White Rivers Exploration—
Mineral Commodity Summaries 2019, p. 92–93. February 2017: Johannesburg, South Africa, White Rivers Exploration (Pty)
Tanner, A.O., 2019b, Vermiculite: U.S. Geological Survey Mineral Commodity Ltd., 16 p.
Summaries 2019, p. 182–183. World Gold Council, 2018, Gold demand trends full year 2017: World Gold
Tex Report, The, 2016, ASA Metals, South Africa under business rescue: The Council, February 6. (Accessed March 8, 2019, at https://www.gold.org/
Tex Report, v. 48, no. 11379, March 18, p. 1. goldhub/research/gold-demand-trends/gold-demand-trends-full-year-2017/
Tex Report, The, 2017a, CoAL changes name to MC Mining: The Tex Report, supply.)
v. 49, no. 11799, December 11, p. 1.

south africa—2017–2018 37.19

 TABLE 1
SOUTH AFRICA: PRODUCTION OF MINERAL COMMODITIES1

(Metric tons, gross weight, unless otherwise specified)

Commodity 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018

METALS
Aluminum, metal, primary 745,000 695,000 701,000 716,000 714,000
r r
Antimony, mine, concentrate, Sb content 815 302 350 -- --
Chromium, mine, chromite:
44% to 48% Cr2O3 thousand metric tons 2,043 2,127 r
1,935 2,010 1,101
Less than 44% Cr2O3 do 11,995 13,528 12,772 r
14,538 16,516
Total do 14,000 15,700 14,700 16,500 17,600
Cobalt:
Mine, Co content, recoverablee 3,000 2,900 2,300 r
2,300 2,300
Refinery, metal powder and sulfate 1,332 1,300 1,101 1,062 1,089
Copper:
r r
Mine, concentrate, Cu content 78,700 77,400 65,300 65,500 48,100
r r
Smelter, primary 71,700 71,800 68,700 70,000 70,000
r
Refinery, primary 78,697 77,360 65,257 65,503 46,900
Ferroalloys:
e e
Ferrochromium thousand metric tons 3,719 3,685 3,596 3,700 3,900
r
Ferromanganese do. 787 512 335 257 236
r r e
Ferrosilicon do. 88 92 73 48 98
Ferrovanadiume do. 19 15 7 7 7
Silicomanganese2 do. 228 210 144 160 164
Gold:
r
Mine, Au content kilograms 151,622 144,504 142,202 137,133 117,150
e, 3, 4
Refinery do. 370,000 340,000 300,000 300,000 300,000
Iron ore, mine:
Gross weight thousand metric tons 80,759 72,806 66,456 74,857 74,264
r
Fe content do. 51,500 46,000 43,000 47,600 47,200
Iron and steel:
Direct-reduced iron do. 1,612 1,125 702 925 835
Pig iron do. 4,402 4,464 4,311 4,352 4,611
Steel:
Raw steel do. 6,412 6,417 6,141 6,301 6,327
Products, stainless do. 473 515 582 591 550
Lead:
e
Mine, concentrate, Pb content 29,348 34,573 39,344 48,150 35,000
e
Refinery, secondary 52,000 52,000 54,000 54,000 56,000
Manganese:
Mine, metallurgical grade:
Gross weight:
r r
30% to 40% Mn thousand metric tons 9,776 7,340 8,290 9,932 10,510
40% to 45% Mn do. 1,703 2,499 1,082 2,884 2,189
45% to 48% Mn do. 2,572 1,194 1,434 1,209 2,219
More than 48% Mn do. -- -- -- 119 --
r r
Total 14,100 11,000 10,800 14,100 14,900
e r r r
Mn content do. 5,500 4,300 4,200 5,500 5,800
Refinery, metal, electrolytice do. 30 30 30 30 30
Nickel:
Mine, Ni content 54,956 56,689 48,994 48,383 43,236
Smelter, matte, for domestic usee 38,000 r
39,000 r
38,000 r
38,000 34,000
r r r
Refinery, metal, electrolytic 39,356 41,910 42,332 42,362 39,500
e e r
Products, chemicals 3,500 5,300 4,743 4,966 5,281
See footnotes at end of table.

37.20 U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY MINERALS YEARBOOK—2017–2018

 TABLE 1—Continued
SOUTH AFRICA: PRODUCTION OF MINERAL COMMODITIES1

(Metric tons, gross weight, unless otherwise specified)

Commodity 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018

METALS—Continued
Platinum-group metals:
Mine, elemental content:
Iridium kilograms 4,231 6,230 6,624 5,973 6,357
Palladium do. 58,410 82,691 76,273 80,132 80,629
Platinum do. 93,991 139,125 133,241 131,242 137,053
Rhodium do. 12,916 18,722 19,237 18,431 18,608
Ruthenium do. 18,896 28,747 28,278 24,486 27,999
Total do. 188,000 276,000 264,000 260,000 271,000
Refinery:
r r r
Palladium do. 67,646 89,815 88,719 93,126 89,299
5, r r r
Platinum do. 109,883 151,156 150,300 154,295 155,915
r r r
Rhodium do. 13,940 18,220 19,360 19,830 18,550
r r r
Other6 do. 25,670 34,800 37,450 34,840 31,800
r r r
Total do. 217,000 294,000 296,000 302,000 296,000
Selenium, anode slimes, Se contente do. 13,000 r
14,000 r
14,000 r
12,000 14,000
r r e
Silicon, metal thousand metric tons 47 46 27 5 51
r
Silver, mine, Ag content kilograms 49,220 51,861 55,622 62,536 46,467
r r r
Tellurium, refinery, Te content, anode slimese 5,900 6,600 6,700 5,300 7,700
Titanium:
Mineral concentrates:
e r r r
Ilmenite and leucoxene thousand metric tons 2,300 1,700 2,000 2,200 2,000
Rutilee do. 100 r
95 r
100 120 110
r r r
Total do. 2,400 1,800 2,100 2,320 2,110
e r r r
Titaniferous slag do. 1,100 940 820 1,000 900
r
Vanadium, V content 21,582 17,788 8,163 7,959 7,700
Zinc, mine, concentrate, Zn content 26,141 29,040 26,695 30,778 28,129
r r e
Zirconium, baddeleyite and zircon concentrate 398,101 377,767 377,430 361,813 350,000
INDUSTRIAL MINERALS
7 e e e
Cement, hydraulic thousand metric tons 12,068 12,992 13,000 14,000 15,000
Clay:
Bentonite 171,119 165,535 148,742 165,141 173,486
Brick clay7 thousand metric tons 6,687 6,945 r
6,668 r
7,460 5,661
Fire clay 239,906 751,711 985,333 430,650 525,853
Flint, raw and calcined 26,891 19,785 10,203 10,064 4,421
Fuller's earth, attapulgite 17,668 17,627 16,374 18,333 17,121
r
Kaolin 27,258 20,126 21,141 31,295 23,724
Plastic clay 268 4,554 -- -- 2,092
r
Diamond, gem and industrial thousands carats 8,059 8,233 8,306 9,698 9,911
r
Feldspar, mine 102,541 130,184 127,872 116,705 76,803
e
Fluorspar, mine:
r
Acid grade 150,000 110,000 146,000 209,000 220,000
r r
Metallurgical grade 14,000 11,000 31,000 14,000 22,000
r
Total 164,000 121,000 177,000 223,000 242,000
r
Garnet, industrial 254,816 284,990 254,693 211,394 278,205
r
Gypsum, mine 376,223 231,688 262,457 320,685 313,909
e r, e e e
Kyanite and related minerals, andalusite 172,657 190,000 160,000 180,000 200,000
r r r
Lime7 thousand metric tons 1,260 1,119 1,131 1,221 1,311
r, e r, e e e
Magnesite, mine 12,335 40,000 60,000 80,000 90,000
Mica, ground and scrap 83 29 8 21 32
Nitrogen, ammonia, N contente 620,000 620,000 620,000 620,000 620,000
e e e e
Perlite 1,100 1,000 1,000 1,000 1,000
See footnotes at end of table.

south africa—2017–2018 37.21

 TABLE 1—Continued
SOUTH AFRICA: PRODUCTION OF MINERAL COMMODITIES1

(Metric tons, gross weight, unless otherwise specified)

Commodity 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018

INDUSTRIAL MINERALS—Continued
Phosphate rock:
Gross weight thousand metric tons 2,011 1,852 1,697 2,079 2,058
P2O5 content do. 743 685 636 r
769 761
r
Salt 493,798 517,159 473,339 492,844 476,107
r r
Sand and gravel, industrial, unspecified thousand metric tons 2,605 2,278 1,886 2,401 2,287
Sodium, compounds, sodium sulfate, mine 51,751 38,374 26,248 57,493 44,008
Stone, sand, and gravel, construction:
Sand and gravel:7
r r
Aggregate thousand metric tons 47,972 48,991 51,035 52,415 47,819
r r
Sand do. 14,220 14,788 14,594 14,357 13,546
Stone:
Crushed:
r r
Limestone, including dolomite do. 21,776 22,927 23,355 23,765 22,802
7
Shale:
r r
For brickmaking do. 785 963 1,363 1,090 849
r
For cement do. 404 354 395 356 305
Dimension:
Granite, including norite7 233,420 263,333 r
307,540 r
286,147 151,443
r r e
Slate 19,051 6,497 60 848 2,000
Sulfur, byproduct, S content:
r r e
Metallurgy 102,438 108,579 85,114 62,824 58,000
r r e
Petroleum 174,580 169,051 195,716 193,786 181,000
r
Total 277,000 278,000 281,000 257,000 239,000
Talc and pyrophyllite:
r
Pyrophyllite, wonderstone 22,500 17,352 19,114 55,048 98,245
Talc 4,827 4,497 4,462 3,728 3,897
Vermiculite 143,007 138,290 166,483 166,084 141,346
e r r r
Wollastonite 1,100 1,100 1,100 1,100 1,100
MINERAL FUELS AND RELATED MATERIALS
Coal, marketable:
Anthracite thousand metric tons 3,517 3,395 2,635 r 2,886 3,317
e r
Bituminous do. 255,000 246,000 244,000 r 246,000 246,000
e
Metallurgical do. 3,400 2,700 r 4,000 r 3,500 3,900
r r
Coke, metallurgical, marketable do. 1,981 2,009 1,940 r 1,900 e 1,900 e
Natural gas million cubic meters 1,184 r 1,464 r 901 r 822 685
Petroleum:
Natural gas liquids thousand 42-gallon barrels 924 738 403 r 324 247
Refinery:
Distillate fuel oil do. 51,974 r 46,483 r 56,547 r 57,000 e 57,000 e
r r r e
Gasoline do. 49,440 47,623 54,797 55,000 55,000 e
r r r e
Jet fuel do. 12,886 18,168 17,533 18,000 18,000 e
Kerosene do. 3,448 3,548 r 3,602 r 3,600 e 3,600 e
Liquefied petroleum gas do. 2,494 3,689 r 3,526 r 3,500 e 3,500 e
r r e
Residual fuel oil do. 20,806 25,248 24,009 24,000 24,000 e
r r r e
Other, including lubricants and greases do. 4,023 3,636 4,401 4,400 4,400 e
Total do. 145,000 r 148,000 r 164,000 r 166,000 e 166,000 e
Uranium, mine, U content 566 448 382 310 e 196
e r
Estimated. Revised. do. Ditto. -- Zero.
1
Table includes data available through December 16, 2019. All data are reported unless otherwise noted. Totals and estimated data are rounded to no more than
three significant digits; may not add to totals shown.
2
Reported by the International Manganese Institute.
3
Data are for the Rand Refinery (Pty) Ltd.
4
Production is based on fiscal year, with a starting date of October 1 of the year shown.
5
Includes sales.
6
May include small amounts of gold.
7
Sales.

37.22 U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY MINERALS YEARBOOK—2017–2018

 TABLE 2
SOUTH AFRICA: STRUCTURE OF THE MINERAL INDUSTRY IN 2018

(Thousand metric tons unless otherwise specified)

Major operating companies and

Commodity major equity owners Location of main facilities Annual capacity
Aggregates AfriSam Consortium (Pty) Ltd. 18 mines in Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, 10,000.
Mpumalanga, and Western Cape Provinces
Do. Lafarge Mining South Africa (Pty) Ltd. 21 mines in Eastern Cape, Free State, 6,000.e
(LafargeHolcim Ltd., 76.3%) KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga,
and Western Cape Provinces
Do. Pretoria Portland Cement Co. (Pty) Ltd. Mines at Francistown, Kgale, Laezonia, and 3,000.
(Barloworld Trust Co. Ltd., 68%) Mooiplaas
Aluminum South32 Ltd. Hillside smelter at Richards Bay 726.
Andalusite Imerys South Africa (Pty) Ltd. (Imerys Group) Annesley and Segorong Mines at Penge, 250.e
and Thabazimbi Mine near Thabazimbi
Do. Andalusite Resources (Pty) Ltd. [African Maroeloesfontein Mine, near Thabazimbi, 70.
Mineral Trading and Exploration (Pty) Ltd.] Northern Cape Province
Antimony metric tons Stibium Mining (Pty) Ltd. Cons Murch Mine near Gravelotte1 7,000.
Cement Pretoria Portland Cement Co. (Pty) Ltd. De Hoek, Dwaalboom, Hercules, Jupiter, 7,000.
(Barloworld Trust Co. Ltd., 68%) Riebeeck, and Slurry plants
Do. AfriSam Consortium (Pty) Ltd. Dudfield, Roodepoort, and Ulco plants 4,600.
Do. Lafarge Industries South Africa (Pty) Ltd. Lichtenburg plant in North West Province 3,200.
(LafargeHolcim Ltd., 76.3%)
Do. Dangote Cement South Africa (Pty) Ltd. Plants near Delmas in Mpumalanga Province 2,900.
(Dangote Industries Ltd., 64%) and at Lichtenburg
Do. Natal Portland Cement Co. (Pty) Ltd. Simuma plant in KwaZulu-Natal Province 1,800.
(Cimentos de Portugal SGPS, S.A., 98%)
Do. Mamba Cement Company (Pty) Ltd Plant near Northam 1,000.
Chromite Glencore plc, 79.5%, and Merafe Resources Magareng Mine in Mpumalanga Province 1,200.
Ltd., 20.5%
Do. do. Thorncliffe Mine at Steelpoort 995.
Do. do. Kroondal Mine at Rustenburg 850.
Do. do. Helena Mine at Steelpoort 825.
Do. do. Waterval Mine in North West Province 650.
Do. do. Boshoek Mine in North West Province NA.
Do. Samancor Chrome (Pty) Ltd. (International Eastern Chrome Mines in Steelpoort Valley, 2,000.
Mineral Resources BV, 70%) Mpumalanga Province
Do. do. Western Chrome Mines in North West Province 1,500.
Do. Tharisa Minerals (Pty) Ltd. Tharisa Mine in North West Province 1,920.
Do. Hernic Ferrochrome (Pty) Ltd. (Mitsubishi Bokone and Morula Mines near Brits 1,500.
Corp., 51%)
Do. Lonmin plc Marikana Mines (Eastern Platinum, Karee, 1,500.e
and Western Platinum) and Pandora Mine
Do. Assore Ltd. Dwarsrivier Mine in Mpumalanga Province 1,400.
Do. Nkomati Joint Venture (African Rainbow Nkomati Mine in Mpumalanga Province 900.
Minerals Ltd., 50%, and MMC Norilsk
Nickel, 50%)
Do. Two Rivers Platinum Mine (Pty) Ltd. Two Rivers Platinum Mine near Steelpoort 320.e
(African Rainbow Minerals Ltd., 55%, and
Impala Platinum Holdings Ltd., 45%)
Do. Anglo American Platinum Ltd. (Amplats) Plant at Amandelbult Mine near Northam 700.
(Anglo American plc, 74.1%)
Do. Anglo American Platinum Ltd. (Amplats) Masa Plant at Union Mine near Northam 330.
and Siyanda Resources
Do. Sibanye-Stillwater Ltd. Waterval Plant near Rustenburg Mine 820.e
Do. ASA Metals (Pty) Ltd. (Sinosteel Corp., 60%, Dilokong Mine, near Burgersfort in 800.
and Limpopo Economic Development Mpumalanga Province1
Enterprise, 40%)
See footnotes at end of table.

south africa—2017–2018 37.23

 TABLE 2—Continued
SOUTH AFRICA: STRUCTURE OF THE MINERAL INDUSTRY IN 2018

(Thousand metric tons unless otherwise specified)

Major operating companies and

Commodity major equity owners Location of main facilities Annual capacity
Chromite—Continued Northam Platinum Ltd. Booysendal North and Zondereinde Mines 660.e
Do. Afarak Group Oyj Mecklenburg, Stellite, and Vlakpoort Mines 500.e
Do. Bayer (Pty) Ltd. Rustenburg Chrome Mine 450.
Do. Impala Chrome (Pty) Ltd. [Impala Platinum Impala Mines near Rustenburg 220.e
Holdings Ltd. (Implats), 65%]
Coal Exxaro Resources Ltd. (BEE Holdco, 52.3%) Grootegeluk Mine in Limpopo Province 33,400.
Do. do. Matla Mine in Mpumalanga Province 14,000.
Do. do. Arnot Mine in Mpumalanga Province1 5,000.
Do. do. Exxaro Coal Central in Mpumalanga Province 4,500.e
Do. do. Leeuwpan Mine in Mpumalanga Province 4,200.e
Do. do. North Block Complex in Mpumalanga Province 3,300.
Do. Exxaro Resources Ltd., 50%, and Anglo Mafube Mine near Sasolburg 4,200.
American plc, 50%
Do. Sasol Ltd. Syferfontein Mine near Secunda 11,300.
Do. do. Twistdraai Mine near Secunda 8,900.
Do. do. Middelbult Mine near Secunda 7,900.
Do. do. Bosjesspruit Mine near Secunda 7,100.
Do. do. Impumelelo Mine near Secunda 3,600.
Do. do. Brandspruit Mine near Secunda 3,300.
Do. do. Sigma Mine near Sasolburg 1,900.
Do. South32 Ltd. Middelburg and Wolverkrans Mines in 17,000.
Mpumalanga Province
Do. do. Khutala Mine in Mpumalanga Province 12,000.
Do. do. Klipspruit Mine in Mpumalanga Province 7,000.
Do. Anglo Coal Ltd. (Anglo American plc, 100%) Khwezela Mine near Witbank 8,700.
Do. do. Zibulo Mine in Mpumalanga Province 8,000.
Do. do. Goedehoop Mine in Mpumalanga Province 7,500.
Do. do. Isibonelo Mine in Mpumalanga Province 5,000.
Do. do. Greenside Mine near Witbank 5,000.e
Do. Glencore plc, 79.8%, and African Rainbow Impunzi Complex and Tweefontein 18,000.e
Minerals Ltd., 20.2% Complex at Witbank
Do. do. Goedgevonden Complex at Witbank 7,700.
Do. Izimbiwa Coal (Pty) Ltd. (Phembani Group, Corobrik, Graspan, and Springlake Mines 4,500.e
50.01%, and Glencore plc, 49.99%)
Do. Umcebo Mining Ltd. (Glencore plc, 48.7%) Wonderfontein Mine near Belfast 3,500.e
Do. Seriti Coal (Pty) Ltd. New Vaal Mine near Vanderbijlpark 18,000.
Do. do. Kriel Mine in Mpumalanga Province 10,000.
Do. do. New Denmark Mine in Mpumalanga Province 5,000.
Do. Optimum Coal Mine (Pty) Ltd. [Tegeta Optimum Complex in Mpumalanga Province1 11,000.
Exploration & Resources (Pty) Ltd., 67.6%]
Do. do. Koornfontein Mine in Mpumalanga Province1 3,000.e
Do. Tegeta Exploration & Resources (Pty) Ltd. Brakfonten Mine in Mpumalanga Province1 1,400.e
Do. Mbuyelo Coal (Pty) Ltd. (Mbuyelo Group, 49%, Welgemeend Mine in Mpumalanga Province 3,100.e
and IchorCoal N.V., 45%)
Do. do. Manungu Mine in Mpumalanga Province 1,900.e
Do. do. Rirhandzu Mine in Mpumalanga Province 1,500.e
Do. do. Vlakvarkfontein Mine near Kendal 1,400.e
Do. Wescoal Holdings Ltd. Vanggatfontein Mine in Mpumalanga Province 2,640.
Do. do. Elandspruit Mine in Mpumalanga Province 2,000.
Do. do. Khanyisa Mine in Mpumalanga Province 1,000.
Do. do. Intibane Mine in Mpumalanga Province 1,000.
Do. Burgh Group Holdings Leeuwpoort, Mooifontein, and other mines 5,000.e
See footnotes at end of table.

37.24 U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY MINERALS YEARBOOK—2017–2018

 TABLE 2—Continued
SOUTH AFRICA: STRUCTURE OF THE MINERAL INDUSTRY IN 2018

(Thousand metric tons unless otherwise specified)

Major operating companies and

Commodity major equity owners Location of main facilities Annual capacity
Coal—Continued Universal Coal plc Kangala Mine in Mpumalanga Province 2,900.e
Do. do. New Clydesdale Colliery in Mpumalanga 2,100.e
Province
Do. Canyon Coal (Pty) Ltd. [Menar Holding Hakhano, Phalanndwa, and Singani Mines 4,000.e
Pty) Ltd.] in Mpumalanga Province
Do. Zululand Anthracite Colliery (Pty) Ltd. Mine near Emakhalathini 870.e
[Menar Holding (Pty) Ltd., 76%]
Do. Hosken Consolidated Coal (Pty) Ltd. Palesa Mine in Mpumalanga Province 3,300.e
Do. do. Mbali Mine in Mpumalanga Province 1,500.e
Do. Vunene Mining (Pty) Ltd. (IchorCoal N.V., 76%) Vunene Mine in Mpumalanga Province 2,100.e
Do. do. Mbali Mine in Mpumalanga Province 1,600.
Do. Eyethu Coal (Pty) Ltd. Klipfontein, Leeuwpoort, and TNDB Mines 3,100.e
in Mpumalanga Province
Do. Kangra Group Pty. Ltd. (Shanduka Resources Savmore Mine in Mpumalanga Province 3,000.
(Pty) Ltd., 30%)
Do. Imbawula Group Mpumalanga Division (Spitzkop and Tselentis 2,800.
Mines) at Breyten and Ermelo
Do. Kuyasa Mining (Pty) Ltd. Delmas Mine 2,000.
Cobalt:
Mine metric tons Nkomati Joint Venture Nkomati Mine in Mpumalanga Province 1,200.e
Do. do. Anglo American Platinum Ltd. (Amplats) Amandelbult, Mogalakwena, Union, and 500.e
(Anglo American plc, 78%) other mines in Bushveld Complex
Refined do. Anglo American Platinum Ltd. (Amplats) Rustenburg Base Metal Refiners 700.e
Do. Impala Platinum Holdings Ltd. (Implats) Base metals refinery NA.
Copper:
Mine Palabora Mining Co. Ltd. Palabora Mine at Phalaborwa 65.2
Do. Anglo American Platinum Ltd. (Amplats) Amandelbult, Mogalakwena, Union, and 13.2
other mines in Bushveld Complex
Do. Nkomati Joint Venture Nkomati Mine in Mpumalanga Province 10
Do. Impala Platinum Holdings Ltd. (Implats) Impala Rustenburg Mine near Phokeng 7.2
Do. Black Mountain Mineral Development Co. Black Mountain Mine near Aggeneys in 6.2
(Pty) Ltd. (Vedanta Resources plc, 74%) Northern Cape Province
Smelter Palabora Mining Co. Ltd. Smelter at Phalaborwa 110.2
Do. Anglo American Platinum Ltd. (Amplats) Rustenburg Smelter 11.2
Do. Impala Platinum Ltd. (Implats) Smelter near Phokeng 7.2
Refined Palabora Mining Co. Ltd. Refinery at Phalaborwa 140.2
Do. Anglo American Platinum Ltd. (Amplats) Rustenburg Base Metal Refiners 13.2
Do. Lonmin plc Base metals refinery and scrap plant 9.2
Do. Impala Platinum Holdings Ltd. (Implats) Base metals refinery 7.2
Diamond thousand De Beers Consolidated Mines Ltd. (DeBeers Venetia Mine in Northern Cape Province 7,500.
carats Group of Companies, 76%)
Do. do. do. Voorspoed Mine in Free State Province 800.
Do. do. Petra Diamonds Ltd. Finsch Mine in Northern Cape Province 2,000.
Do. do. do. Cullinan Mine in Gauteng Province 1,100.e
Do. do. do. Koffiefontein Mine in Free State Province 60.e
Do. do. Ekapa Mining (Pty) Ltd. Kimberley Mine in Northern Cape Province 800.
Do. do. DiamondCorp plc Lace Mine1 near Kroonstad 500.
Do. do. Jagersfontein Developments (Pty) Ltd. Jagersfontein Mine in Free State Province 250.e
Do. do. Trans Hex Group Namaqualand Mine 130.e
Do. do. do. Baken and other mines 60.e
Do. do. Batla Minerals SA Superkolong Diamond operations 130.e
Fluorspar Vergenoeg Mining Corp. (Pty) Ltd. Vergenoeg Mine at Rust de Winter 250.
(Minerales Y Productos Derivados SA, 85%)
See footnotes at end of table.

south africa—2017–2018 37.25

 TABLE 2—Continued
SOUTH AFRICA: STRUCTURE OF THE MINERAL INDUSTRY IN 2018

(Thousand metric tons unless otherwise specified)

Major operating companies and

Commodity major equity owners Location of main facilities Annual capacity
Garnet, industrial Mineral Commodities Ltd. (MCL) Tormin Mine in Western Cape Province 300.
Gold:
Mine kilograms Sibanye-Stillwater Ltd. Driefontein Mine in Gauteng Province 18,000.e
Do. do. do. Kloof Mine in Gauteng Province 18,000.e
Do. do. do. Beatrix Mine in Free State Province 11,000.e
Do. do. do. Cooke Operations in Gauteng Province 7,500.e
Do. do. do. Burnstone Mine1 in Mpumalanga Province 3,100.
Do. do. Harmony Gold Mining Company Ltd. Tshepong Mine in Free State Province 9,400.
Do. do. do. Great Noligwa and Moab Khotsong Mines 8,500.e
Do. do. do. Kusasalethu Mine in Gauteng Province 4,400.
Do. do. do. Kalgold, Phoenix, and other surface operations 3,000.
Do. do. do. Doornkop Mine in Gauteng Province 2,900.
Do. do. do. Target 1 Mine in Free State Province 2,900.
Do. do. do. Bambanani Mine in Free State Province 2,600.
Do. do. do. Masimong Mine in Free State Province 2,200.
Do. do. do. Joel Mine in Free State Province 2,100.
Do. do. do. Unisel Mine in Free State Province 1,800.
Do. do. AngloGold Ashanti Ltd. (Anglo American plc, Mponeng Mine in Gauteng Province 10,000.
41.8%)
Do. do. do. Tau Tona Mine1 in Gauteng Province 8,100.
Do. do. do. Surface Operations in North West Province 7,000e.
Do. do. Gold Fields Ltd. South Deep Mine in Gauteng Province 15,500.
Do. do. Heaven-Sent SA Sunshine Investment Company Ltd. Kopanang Mine in Free State Province 9,000.
Do. do. Pan African Resources plc Barberton Mine in Mpumalanga Province 3,000.
Do. do. do. Evander Mine in Mpumalanga Province 3,000.
Do. do. do. Barberton Tailings Retreatment Project 930.
Do. do. do. Evander Tailings Retreatment Project 930.
Do. do. DRDGold Ltd. Ergo operations near Johannesburg 5,000.e
Do. do. Gold One International Ltd. Modder East Mine in Gauteng Province 4,700.
Do. do. Village Main Reef Ltd. Tau Lekoa Mine 3,200.e
Do. do. Anglo American Platinum Ltd. (Amplats) Amandelbult, Mogalakwena, Union, and 3,000.e
other mines in Bushveld Complex
Refined metric tons Rand Refinery (Pty) Ltd. (AngloGold Ashanti Germiston, Gauteng Province 600.
Ltd., 53%, and Gold Fields Ltd., 33%)
Iron and steel:
Iron ore Kumba Iron Ore Ltd. Sishen Mine at Sishen 38,000.
Do. do. Kolomela Mine in Northern Cape Province 14,000.
Do. Assmang (Pty) Ltd. Khumani Mine in Northern Cape Province 16,000.
Do. do. Beeshoek Mine near Postmasburg 4,000.
Do. Palabora Mining Co. Ltd. Palabora Mines at Phalaborwa 10,000.
Do. Evraz Highveld Steel and Vanadium Corp. Ltd. Mapochs Mine at Roossenekal1 2,700.
(Evraz Group S.A., 79%)
Do. Sedibeng Iron Ore (Pty) Ltd. [Black Ginger Mine at Postmasburg in Northern Cape 2,000
(Pty) Ltd., 64%] Province
Do. Afrimat Ltd. Diro Mine in Northern Cape Province 1,000.
Pig iron Richards Bay Minerals (RBM) (Rio Tinto plc, Smelter at Richards Bay 550.
74%, and Blue Horizon Investments, 24%)
Ferroalloys Glencore plc, 79.5%, and Merafe Resources Lion plant at Steelpoort 720 ferrochromium.
Ltd., 20.5%
Do. do. Wonderkop plant at Marikana 553 ferrochromium.
Do. do. Rustenburg plant at Rustenburg 430 ferrochromium.
Do. do. Lydenburg plant at Lydenburg 396 ferrochromium.
Do. do. Boshoek plant at Boshoek 240 ferrochromium.
See footnotes at end of table.

37.26 U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY MINERALS YEARBOOK—2017–2018

 TABLE 2—Continued
SOUTH AFRICA: STRUCTURE OF THE MINERAL INDUSTRY IN 2018

(Thousand metric tons unless otherwise specified)

Major operating companies and

Commodity major equity owners Location of main facilities Annual capacity
Iron and steel:—Continued
Ferroalloys—Continued Samancor Chrome (Pty) Ltd. Plants at Middelburg, Steelpoort, and 1,200 ferrochromium.
Witbank
Do. do. Buffelsfontein plant in North West Province 267 ferrochromium.
Do. Samancor Chrome (Pty) Ltd. and Sinosteel Plant near Pietersburg, Northern Cape Province1 400 ferrochromium.
Corp.
Do. Hernic Ferrochrome (Pty) Ltd. Plant at Brits 420 ferrochromium.
Do. Traxys Group Plant at Richards Bay1 150 ferrochromium.
Do. Assmang (Pty) Ltd. Cato Ridge plant in KwaZulu-Natal Province 300 ferromanganese.
Do. do. Machadodorp plant in Mpumalanga Province1 290 ferromanganese
Do. Samancor Manganese (Pty) Ltd. (South32 Ltd., Plant at Meyerton 500 ferromanganese.
60%)
Do. Transalloys (Pty) Ltd. (Renova Group) Plant at Witbank 180 silicomanganese.
Do. Ferroglobe plc New Castle plant at Ballengeich1 45 ferrosilicon.
Do. do. eMalahleni plant 40 ferrosilicon.
Do. metric tons Vanchem Vanadium Products (Pty) Ltd. Plant at Witbank1 12,500 ferrovanadium.
(Duferco Group)
Do. do. Glencore plc Rhovan plant at Brits 6,000 ferrovanadium.
Do. Afarak Group Oyj Mogale plant 110 ferroalloys.
Steel ArcelorMittal South Africa Ltd. Plant at Vanderbijlpark 2,900 crude steel.
Do. do. Plants at Newcastle and Vereeniging 1,900 crude steel.
Do. do. Plant at Saldanha 1,300 crude steel.
Do. Evraz Highveld Steel and Vanadium Ltd. Plant at Witbank1 815 crude steel.
Do. Columbus Stainless (Pty) Ltd. (Acerinox S.A., Stainless steel plant at Middelburg 750 crude steel.
76%)
Do. Scaw Metals Group Germiston plant, Johannesburg 600 crude steel.
Do. Davsteel Division (Cape Gate Pty. Ltd.) Vanderbijlpark plant, Gauteng 485 crude steel;
460 rolled steel.
Do. Cape Town Iron & Steel Works (Pty) Ltd. Kuils River plant, Cape Town1 300 crude steel;
(Cisco) 300 billet.
Do. Duferco Steel Processing Ltd. Cold-rolled slab steel plant at Saldanha Bay 240 rolled steel.
Lead, mine Vedanta Resources plc Black Mountain Mine near Aggeneys in 55.
Northern Cape Province
Lime PPC Lime Ltd. (Pretoria Portland Cement Plant at Lime Acres 1,200.
Company Ltd.)
Do. Idwala Lime (Idwala Industrial Holdings) Plant at Danielskuil 1,000.
Do. Inca Lime (Pty) Ltd. (Inca Mining (Pty) Ltd.) Plant at Immerpan, Limpopo Province 100.
Magnesite Chamotte Holdings Strathmore Magnesite Mine 100.e
Manganese Hotazel Manganese Mines (Pty) Ltd. (South32 Ltd., Mamatwan Mine near Hotazel 3,500 ore.
60%)
Do. do. Wessels Mine near Hotazel 1,000 ore.
Do. United Manganese of Kalahari (Pty) Ltd. (UMK) Russik Mine in Northern Cape Province 4,000 ore.
(Majestic Silver Trading 40 (Pty) Ltd., 51%,
and Renova Group, 49%)
Do. Assmang (Pty) Ltd. Nchwaning Mine near Black Rock 3,200 ore.
Do. do. Gloria Mine near Black Rock 600 ore.
Do. Tshipi e Ntle Manganese Mining (Pty) Ltd. Tshipi Borwa Mine in Northern Cape Province 3,600 ore.
(Ntsimbitntle Mining (Pty) Ltd., 50.1%,
and Jupiter Mines Ltd., 49.9%)
Do. Asia Minerals Ltd. (AML) Kudumane Mine at Fort York 1,500 ore.
Do. Guangxi N&H Metallurgy Development Co. Lomoteng Mine 600 ore.
Do. Manganese Metal Co. Pty. Ltd. [Samancor Electrolytic plant at Nelspruit 30 manganese metal.
Manganese (Pty) Ltd., 51%]
See footnotes at end of table.

south africa—2017–2018 37.27

 TABLE 2—Continued
SOUTH AFRICA: STRUCTURE OF THE MINERAL INDUSTRY IN 2018

(Thousand metric tons unless otherwise specified)

Major operating companies and

Commodity major equity owners Location of main facilities Annual capacity
Nickel Anglo American Platinum Ltd. (Amplats) Amandelbult, Mogalakwena, Union, and 33 mine.e
other mines in Bushveld Complex
Do. do. Rustenburg Base Metal Refiners 33 refined.
Do. Nkomati Joint Venture Nkomati Mine in Mpumalanga Province 21 mine.
Do. Impala Platinum Ltd. Impala Rustenburg Mine near Phokeng 6 mine.e
Do. do. Base metals refinery 16 refined.e
Do. Lonmin plc Marikana and Pandora Mines near Marikana 4 mine.e
Do. do. Base metals refinery 5 sulfate.e
Nitrogen, ammonia Sasol Ltd. Plants at Sasolburg and Secunda 660.
Petroleum:
Crude thousand Petroleum Oil and Gas Corporation of South Oribi and Oryx fields1 730.
42-gallon barrels Africa (Government, 100%)
Refined do. South African Petroleum Refineries (Shell SA Sapref refinery in Durban 65,700.
Energy, 50%, and BP Southern Africa, 50%)
Do. do. Engen Ltd. (62%) Enref refinery in Durban 43,800.
Do. do. National Petroleum Refiners of South Natref refinery in Sasolburg 39,400.
Africa Pty. Ltd. (Sasol Ltd., 63.6%)
Do. do. Caltex Oil SA (Pty) Ltd. Chevref refinery in Cape Town 36,500.
Phosphate rock Phosphate Development Corp. Ltd. [Foskor Foskor Mine and plant at Phalaborwa 2,800 phosphate rock.
(Pty) Ltd.]
Phosphoric acid do. Plant at Phalaborwa 720.
Platinum-group
metals:
Mine kilograms Anglo American Platinum Ltd. (Amplats) Mogalakwena Mine at Ga-Masenya 15,000 platinum;
17,000 palladium;
1,100 rhodium;
960 ruthenium;
220 iridium.
Do. do. do. Amandelbult Mine near Northam 16,000 platinum;
7,300 palladium;
2,400 rhodium;
4,200 iridium and
ruthenium.
Do. do. do. Mototolo Mine at Steelpoort1 3,300 platinum;
2,100 palladium;
990 ruthenium;
570 rhodium;
220 iridium
Do. do. Siyanda Resources (Pty) Ltd. Union Mine at Swartklip 10,700 platinum;
4,600 palladium;
1,800 rhodium;
3,100 iridium and
ruthenium.
Do. do. Kroondal Platinum Mines [Anglo American Kroondal Platinum Mine near Rustenburg 11,000 platinum;
Platinum Ltd. (Amplats), 50%, and 6,000 palladium;
Sibanye-Stillwater Ltd., 50%] 3,500 ruthenium;
2,200 rhodium;
800 iridium.
Do. do. Modikwa Platinum Mine [Anglo American Modikwa Mine at Makgemeng 4,200 platinum;
Platinum Ltd. (Amplats), 50%, and 4,000 palladium;
African Rainbow Minerals, 50%) 1,200 ruthenium;
820 rhodium;
310 iridium.
See footnotes at end of table.

37.28 U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY MINERALS YEARBOOK—2017–2018

 TABLE 2—Continued
SOUTH AFRICA: STRUCTURE OF THE MINERAL INDUSTRY IN 2018

(Thousand metric tons unless otherwise specified)

Major operating companies and

Commodity major equity owners Location of main facilities Annual capacity
Platinum-group
metals:—Continued
Mine— kilograms Royal Bafokeng Platinum Ltd. (RBPlat) Styldrift Mine near Phokeng 6,900 platinum;
Continued [Royal Bafokeng Nation, 67%, and Anglo 3,100 palladium,
American Platinum Ltd., 33%] rhodium, and gold.
Do. do. Royal Bafokeng Platinum Ltd. (RBPlat) Bafokeng Rasimone Platinum Mine near 5,900 platinum;
[Royal Bafokeng Nation, 67%, and Anglo Phokeng 2,400 palladium;
American Platinum Ltd., 33%] 790 ruthenium;
460 rhodium;
150 iridium.
Do. do. Atlatsa Resources Corp., 51%, and Anglo Bokoni Mine at Sefateng1 4,100 platinum;
American Platinum Ltd., 49% 2,700 palladium;
470 rhodium.
Do. do. Impala Platinum Holdings Ltd. (Implats) Impala Mines, near Phokeng in North West 29,500 platinum;
Province 16,000 palladium;
6,600 ruthenium;
4,000 rhodium;
1,600 iridium.
Do. do. do. Marula Mine at Bothashoek 2,200 platinum;
2,300 palladium;
630 ruthenium;
460 rhodium;
180 iridium.
Do. do. Two Rivers Platinum Mine (Pty) Ltd. Two Rivers platinum mine near Steelpoort 5,500 platinum;
3,200 palladium;
1,600 ruthenium;
930 rhodium;
350 iridium.
Do. do. Lonmin plc Marikana and Pandora Mines near Marikana 24,900 platinum;
11,600 palladium;
5,300 ruthenium;
3,400 rhodium;
1,100 iridium.
Do. do. Sibanye-Stillwater Ltd. Rustenburg Mine 24,000 platinum;
11,900 palladium;
3,100 rhodium;
5,500 iridium and
ruthenium.
Do. do. Northam Platinum Ltd. [Anglo American Zondereinde Mine near Northam 9,400 platinum;
Platinum Ltd. (Amplats), 22.5%, and 4,600 palladium;
Mvelaphanda Resources Ltd., 21.9%) 1,100 rhodium.
Do. do. do. Booysendal North Mine 2,900 platinum;
1,600 palladium;
470 rhodium.
Do. do. Platinum Group Metals Ltd. Maseve Mine1 5,500 platinum;
2,300 palladium;
430 rhodium.
Do. do. Sedibelo Platinum Mines Ltd. Pilanesberg Mine in North West Province 5,400 platinum;
1,700 palladium;
490 rhodium.
See footnotes at end of table.

south africa—2017–2018 37.29

 TABLE 2—Continued
SOUTH AFRICA: STRUCTURE OF THE MINERAL INDUSTRY IN 2018

(Thousand metric tons unless otherwise specified)

Major operating companies and

Commodity major equity owners Location of main facilities Annual capacity
Platinum-group
metals:—Continued
Mine— kilograms Tharisa Minerals (Pty) Ltd. Tharisa Mine in North West Province 2,700 platinum;
Continued 710 palladium;
530 ruthenium;
360 rhodium;
170 iridium.
Do. do. Nkomati Joint Venture Nkomati Mine in Mpumalanga Province 4,300 platinum-group
metals.
Do. do. Sylvania Platinum Ltd. Sylvania Dump Operations 1,100e platinum;
520e palladium;
290e rhodium.
Smelted do. Anglo American Platinum Ltd. (Amplats) Polokwane smelter at Polokwane, Mortimer 85,000 platinum;
smelter at Swartklip, and Waterval smelter 55,000 palladium;
12,000 rhodium.
Do. do. Impala Platinum Holdings Ltd. (Implats) Smelter near Phokeng 81,000 platinum;
52,600 palladium;
11,600 rhodium;
17,000 gold, iridium,
and ruthenium.
Refined do. Anglo American Platinum Ltd. (Amplats) Precious metals refinery near Rustenburg 81,000 platinum;
54,000 palladium;
11,000 rhodium;
18,800 iridium and
ruthenium.
Do. do. Impala Platinum Holdings Ltd. (Implats) Precious metals refinery near Springs in 71,500 platinum metal;
Gauteng Province 46,400 palladium metal;
10,200 rhodium metal;
15,000 gold, iridium,
and ruthenium.
Do. do. Lonmin plc Refinery at Brakpan 31,000 platinum metal;
14,600 palladium metal;
7,000 ruthenium metal;
4,300 rhodium metal;
1,400 iridium metal.
Do. do. Heraeus South Africa (Pty) Ltd. Refinery at Port Elizabeth 9,200e platinum metal;
4,400e platinum metal;
Pyrophyllite Idwala Industrial Minerals (Benoni) Ottsdal Mine in North West Province 15.
Do. Wonderstone Ltd. (The Associated Ore & Pyrophyllite (wonderstone) mine, NA.
Metals Corp. Ltd.) North West Province
Do. G&W Base and Industrial Minerals Pty. Ltd. Piet Retief Mine NA.
[Zimco Group (Pty) Ltd.]
Selenium kilograms Impala Platinum Ltd. (Implats) Impala and Marula Mines 12,000.e
Do. do. Palabora Mining Co. Ltd. Palabora Mine and plant at Phalaborwa 10,000.e
Silicon Ferroglobe plc Polokwane plant, near Pietersburg 55 silicon metal.
Do. do. eMalahleni plant 12 silicon metal.
Silver:
Mine metric tons Vedanta Resources plc Black Mountain Mine near Aggeneys in 50 mined silver.
Northern Cape Province
Refined do. Rand Refinery Ltd. Germiston, Gauteng Province 200 refined silver.
See footnotes at end of table.

37.30 U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY MINERALS YEARBOOK—2017–2018

 TABLE 2—Continued
SOUTH AFRICA: STRUCTURE OF THE MINERAL INDUSTRY IN 2018

(Thousand metric tons unless otherwise specified)

Major operating companies and

Commodity major equity owners Location of main facilities Annual capacity
Sulfur Sasol Synthetic Fuels (Pty) Ltd. Plant at Secunda 180.
Do. South African Petroleum Refineries Plant at Durban 63.
Do. Engen Petroleum Ltd. do. 47.
Do. National Petroleum Refiners of South Africa Plant at Sasolburg 44.
(Pty) Ltd.
Do. Caltex Oil SA (Pty) Ltd. Plant at Cape Town 30.
Synthetic fuels thousand Sasol Synthetic Fuels (Pty) Ltd. Coal to oil plant at Secunda 58,400.
42-gallon barrels
Do. do. Petroleum Oil and Gas Corporation of South Natural gas to petroleum products plant 16,400.
Africa at Mossel Bay
Tellurium kilograms Impala Platinum Ltd. (Implats) Impala and Marula Mines 5,000.e
Do. do. Palabora Mining Co. Ltd. Palabora Mine and plant at Phalaborwa 5,300.e
Titanium:
Titanium Richards Bay Minerals (RBM) (Rio Tinto plc, Open cast operations, near Richards Bay 2,000 ilmenite;e
concentrates 74%, and Blue Horizon Investments, 24%) 100 rutile.e
Do. Tronox Ltd., 74% (Exxaro Resources Ltd., Namakwa Sands near Brand-se-Baai and 540 ilmenite; 31 rutile.
44.65%) mineral separation plant at Koekenaap
Do. do. Fairbreeze Mine in KwaZulu-Natal 500 ilmenite; 25 rutile.
Province
Do. Mineral Commodities Ltd. (MCL) Tormin Mine in Western Cape Province 180e ilmenite; 5.5 rutile.
Titanium slag Richards Bay Minerals (RBM) Smelter at Richards Bay 1,050.
Do. Tronox Ltd., 74% Empangeni smelter near Richards Bay 220.
Do. do. Smelter at Vredenberg, Saldanha Bay area 190.
Uranium oxide metric tons AngloGold Ashanti Ltd. Kopanang and Moab Khotsong Mines and 650.e
Mine Waste Solutions (MWS) project
Do. do. Sibanye-Stillwater Ltd. Cooke Operations in Gauteng Province 120.e
Do. do. Shiva Uranium Ltd. Mine in North West Province1 NA
Vanadium do. Evraz Highveld Steel and Vanadium Ltd. Mapochs Mine near Lydenburg1 17,500.
pentoxide (Evraz Group S.A., 79%)
Do. do. do. Plant at Witbank1 10,800.
Do. do. Glencore plc, 74% Rhovan Mine and smelter at Brits 10,000.
Do. do. Vanchem Vanadium Products (Pty) Ltd. Plant at Witbank1 5,000.e
(Duferco Group)
Do. do. Vametco Minerals Corp. (Bushveld Minerals Vametco Mine and Brits plant 3,750 vanadium.
Ltd., 100%)
Vermiculite Palabora Mining Co. Ltd. Palabora Mine and plant at Phalaborwa 200.
Wollastonite metric tons Incubex Minerals Ltd. Mine near Garies 1,100.e
Zinc, mine Vedanta Resources Ltd. Gamsberg Mine in Northern Cape Province 250.
Do. Black Mountain Mineral Development Co. Black Mountain Mine near Aggeneys in 40.
(Pty) Ltd. Northern Cape Province
Zirconium Richards Bay Minerals (RBM) Open cast mines near Richards Bay 300 zircon in concentrate.
Do. Tronox Ltd., 74% Namakwa Sands near Brand-se-Baai and 135 zircon in concentrate.
mineral separation plant at Koekenaap
Do. do. Fairbreeze Mine in KwaZulu-Natal Province 55 zircon in concentrate.
Do. Mineral Commodities Ltd. (MCL) Tormin Mine in Western Cape Province 38 zircon in concentrate.
e
Estimated. Do., do. Ditto. NA Not available.
1
Not operating at the end of 2018.
2
Data from International Copper Study Group.

south africa—2017–2018 37.31

 TABLE 3
SOUTH AFRICA: RESERVE BASE OF MAJOR MINERALS IN 20181

(Million metric tons unless otherwise specified)

Commodity Reserves
2
Alumino-silicates 96
Antimony thousand metric tons 27
Chromite ore 3,100
Coal, recoverable 66,700
Fluorspar 41
Gold thousand metric tons 6
Iron ore 770
Manganese, ore 200
Nickel thousand metric tons 3,700
Phosphate rock 1,500
Platinum-group metals thousand metric tons 63
Titanium minerals 71
Vanadium thousand metric tons 3,500
Vermiculite 14
Zirconium 14
1
Metallic minerals are contained metal.
2
Includes aluminosilicate and sillimanite.

Source: Mokwena, E., Malemetja, E., Madzuhe, V., and Masetlana, T.R., 2018, General review, in South Africa’s
Mineral Industry 2017/2018: Pretoria, South Africa, Department of Mineral Resources of the Republic of South Africa,
p. 1–27.

37.32 U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY MINERALS YEARBOOK—2017–2018