Sishen Ultrahigh Dense-Media Separation Project

Kumba Iron Ore, a subsidiary of Anglo American, is deploying the R11.2 billion Sishen Ultrahigh Dense-Media Separation project at Sishen Mine. The project will increase premium iron ore production from 18% to 55%, extending the mine’s lifespan until 2044. The company spent R1.8 billion on engineering and earthworks as of August 2024, with construction commencing in November 2024. Initial operations are expected in 2026 and full production by 2028.

KwaZulu Natal Titanium Beneficiation Complex

Nyanza Light Metals and the Richards Bay Industrial Development Zone are constructing a facility for the manufacturing of titanium pigment in KwaZulu Natal. Financed by Africa Finance Corporation, the African Export-Import Bank, the Industrial Development Corporation and the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition, the $4.5 billion project will produce 80,000 tons of titanium dioxide pigment per annum. Up to 85% will be exported and 15% sold to the local market. The project will create over 3,000 jobs. Land clearance began in August 2024, with production anticipated in 2027.

Steelpoortdrift Vanadium Project

Vanadium Resources Limited signed an agreement with China Energy Engineering International Group in August 2024 for the provision of EPC services for the Steelpoortdrift Vanadium Project. An open pit mine and treatment facility will be developed for the exploitation of 680 million tons of vanadium resources in the Bushveld Complex. Phase 1 will produce 1.6 million tons annually, scaling to 3.5 million tons in Phase 2. Construction of the concentrator will start in 2025, with processing facilities operational by 2028.

Platreef PGM Nickel Project

Ivanhoe Mines is expanding its Bushveld Igneous Complex with the addition of the Turfspruit and Macalacaskop production and processing facilities. The multi-phase initiative involves investments of $488 million for Phase 1 and $1.5 billion for Phase 2, increasing PGMs production to 770,000 tons and 5.2 million tons annually, respectively. A further scale-up to 10 million tons per annum is planned in Phase 3. The Phase 1 concentrator was commissioned in 2024, with expansions slated through 2029.

Eland Mine Complex

Northam Platinum Holdings is reviving the Eland Mine Complex in North West Province with a R4.5 billion investment. The project will increase PGMs production from 100,000 ounces annually in 2025 to 180,000 ounces by 2028 while creating 2,500 long-term jobs.

Bengwenyama PGMs Project

Mining firm Southern Palladium and Nurinox published a pre-feasibility study confirming 40 million ounces of PGMs at Bengwenyama facility. The $408 million project will develop a concentrator with a capacity of 200,000 tons per month, creating 4,000 jobs during construction.

Thaba Joint Venture Project

In August 2024, Sylvania Metals and Limberg Mining announced the progression of the Thaba Joint Venture Project in the Bushveld Complex, ahead of first production in the first half of 2025. The R600 million project will enable the mining and processing of chrome tailings from historical dumps and run-of-mine chrome ore from Limberg Mine to produce PGMs.

Waterberg Project

Platinum Group Metals and Waterberg Joint Venture Resources released a feasibility study for the Waterberg PGMs project in Limpopo in September, advancing the projects towards financial close and construction phases. Construction will start in December 2025, with initial production expected by September 2029. Steady-state operations are targeted for 2032, sustaining mining activities until 2081.