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Rounding Off South African Mining in 2025
In The News
South Africa’s mining sector navigated a year of significant change and challenges with notable resilience. Production across key minerals increased, even as the industry underwent major restructuring that led to widespread job losses. Companies invested in new technologies and renewable energy projects to control costs, though delays in energy initiatives highlighted the importance of securing stable power. The mining industry stands at a pivotal moment. The future will be shaped by its ability to embrace technology, sustainability, and operational efficiency. While challenges remain, strategic investments and collaborative innovation will define long-term success. Industry forums such as GMG-SAIMM offer platforms for knowledge exchange, collaboration, and actionable solutions. These discussions are essential for shaping a mining sector that is resilient, forward-thinking, and sustainable.
Industry News
Important Information
R&D spending ni the Mining Sector
Data from the HSRC’s 2021–2022 South African National Survey on Research and Experimental Development (R&D Survey) show that mining companies spent R645.9 million on R&D to mine minerals, and mining-related activities, 71.2% of which was for the mining of metal ores such as the copper (excluding the gold and uranium) sub-sector. Such disparities in sectoral R&D performance require attention for the industry to progress.
To realise the full potential of mining modernization, we must understand current sector-specific system elements, such as skills, RD&I and networks. An effective integration of expert perspectives and public engagement is the starting point for understanding mining modernisation.
Source: https://hsrc.ac.za/news/cestii/the-future-of-mining-in-south-africa-modernisation-and-what-needs-to-be-done/
To progress well, South Africa needs to “unblock the arteries”, scale third-party rail access, secure corridors, get locomotives moving, and restore predictable slotting for coal, iron-ore and manganese.
It needs to fix energy at source, accelerate private generation and wheeling, lower and stabilise tariffs and prioritise grid access for self-generation.
It must turn policy into projects, convert the critical minerals strategy into faster permits and pilot processing hubs and offtake-anchored financing.
WHAT IT WILL TAKE TO WIN IN 2026
Success in 2026 will hinge on unlocking infrastructure bottlenecks, accelerating private energy solutions, translating policy into investable projects and maintaining capital discipline. In a volatile and fast-evolving landscape, agility, control and execution will separate the leaders from the laggards.
