List of the 20 biggest mining companies in South Africa in 2024
Many global mining companies have roots in South Africa. Mzansi is incredibly rich in natural resources and has large reserves of some of the most valuable minerals on Earth. As a result, many mining companies investing in Africa start with South Africa, then expand to other parts of the continent. Discover the biggest mining companies in South Africa below.
Source: UGC
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- List of mining companies in South Africa
- Biggest mining companies in South Africa
- 1. Anglo-American South Africa (Johannesburg)
- 2. BHP Billiton Energy Coal South Africa Ltd (Mpumalanga)
- 3. Rio Tinto (Sandton)
- 4. Kumba Iron Ore Ltd (Gauteng)
- 5. Sibanye-Stillwater (Westonaria)
- 6. Wesizwe Platinum (Johannesburg)
- 7. Northam Platinum (Johannesburg)
- 8. African Rainbow Minerals (Sandton)
- 9. Palabora Mining Company Ltd (Limpopo province)
- 10. Kimberley Ekapa Mining Joint Venture (Johannesburg)
- 11. Cronimet Chrome Mining SA Pty. Ltd (Poplar Noordwyk Midrand)
- 12. Hluma Minerals (Sandton)
- 13. African Exploration Mining and Finance Corporation (Johannesburg)
- 14. AngloGold Ashanti Limited (Johannesburg)
- 15. Gold Fields (Johannesburg)
- 16. Zambezi Platinum (Johannesburg)
- 17. Harmony Gold (Johannesburg)
- 18. Hotazel Manganese Mines (pty) Ltd (Northern Cape)
- 19. JCI Limited (Johannesburg)
- 20. Mmakau Mining (Gauteng)
- How many gold mines are in South Africa?
- What are the top 5 mining companies in South Africa?
- How many mining companies are in South Africa?
- Who is the biggest mine in South Africa?
- Who are the top 3 richest mine owners in South Africa?
- Which province has more mines in SA?
Mzansi is the world's largest producer of gold, chrome ore, platinum group metals, and manganese ore. Private and public companies compete for the country's resources because mining is among the biggest industries in SA. The sector contributes around 13.5 billion USD annually to South Africa's GDP.
List of mining companies in South Africa
South Africa has a rich history of mining, and several major mining companies operate in the country. The compilation of the list below is based on a combination of the company's historical significance, market influence, and overall prominence within the country's mining sector.
The list encompasses companies engaged in diverse mining activities, ranging from precious metals like gold and platinum to essential resources such as coal and iron ore.
| No | Company |
| 1 | Anglo-American South Africa |
| 2 | BHP Billiton Energy Coal South Africa Ltd |
| 3 | Rio Tinto |
| 4 | Kumba Iron Ore Ltd |
| 5 | Sibanye-Stillwater |
| 6 | Wesizwe Platinum |
| 7 | Northam Platinum |
| 8 | African Rainbow Minerals |
| 9 | Palabora Mining Company Ltd |
| 10 | Kimberley Ekapa Mining Joint Venture |
| 11 | Cronimet Chrome Mining SA Pty. Ltd |
| 12 | Hluma Minerals |
| 13 | African Exploration Mining and Finance Corporation (AEMFC) |
| 14 | AngloGold Ashanti Limited |
| 15 | Gold Fields |
| 16 | Zambezi Platinum |
| 17 | Harmony Gold |
| 18 | Hotazel Manganese Mines (pty) Ltd |
| 19 | JCI Limited |
| 20 | Mmakau Mining |
Biggest mining companies in South Africa
South Africa is the world's second-largest producer of vanadium, zirconium, and titanium. The country gets over 70% of its energy (electricity, gas, and liquid fuels) from coal. SA's coal reserves can meet the country's energy needs for more than a century.
Mzansi is also blessed with diamond, cobalt, iron ore, bauxite, and copper. The following are some of the top 20 mining companies in South Africa.
1. Anglo-American South Africa (Johannesburg)
- Founded: 1917
- Headquarters: London, United Kingdom
- SA offices: Marshalltown, Johannesburg, 2001, South Africa
Anglo-American plc operates worldwide from North America, Australasia, South America, Europe, to Africa. It is one of the world's largest platinum producers and among the biggest mining companies in Gauteng, SA.
The Anglo-American South Africa also deals in nickel, diamonds, metallurgical, thermal coal, copper, iron ore, and other minerals. Anglo American plc's headquarter offices are in London, England.
2. BHP Billiton Energy Coal South Africa Ltd (Mpumalanga)
- Founded: 1851
- Headquarters: Melbourne, Australia
- SA offices: Lesedi Village, Middelburg Rd, Witbank, Emalahleni, 1034, South Africa
BHP Billiton was founded in 1851 in Australia to mine silver, lead, and zinc. It is among the world's top producers of iron ore, nickel, copper, and metallurgical coal. Billiton Energy Coal South Africa Ltd produces and exports coal in SA. The company owns collieries in Mpumalanga and KwaZulu Natal provinces. BHP Group Limited employed has employed 80,000 workers.
3. Rio Tinto (Sandton)
- Founded: 1873
- Headquarters: London, United Kingdom
- SA offices: 1 Harries Rd, Illovo, Sandton, 2196, South Africa
The British-Australian multinational mining company operates in around 40 countries. Rio Tinto deals in aluminium, diamonds, bauxite, molybdenum, copper, uranium, coal, iron core and other minerals. Rio Tinto International Holdings Limited has 45,000 workers in 2022.
4. Kumba Iron Ore Ltd (Gauteng)
Source: UGC
- Parent organization: Anglo American plc
- Founded: 2005
- Headquarters: Gauteng, South Africa
Kumba Iron Ore Ltd explores iron ore mines in South Africa and sells iron ore to the international market. Kumba Iron Ore succeeded Kumba Resources after coal and heavy minerals operations spun off in November 2006.
5. Sibanye-Stillwater (Westonaria)
- Founded: November 2012
- Headquarters: Westonaria, South Africa
Sibanye-Stillwater is the world's third-largest gold producer, second-largest palladium producer, and largest platinum producer. The company mines and refines gold into gold bars with a 99.5% purity level. In April 2019, Sibanye-Stillwater bought SFA Oxford (a prominent metal market analytics and consulting company).
6. Wesizwe Platinum (Johannesburg)
- Founded: 2003
- Headquarters: Johannesburg, South Africa
Wesizwe Platinum explores and develops mineral properties in SA. The company produces around 350,000 ounces of platinum group metals at the Bakubung platinum mine site near Rustenburg. Wesizwe's corporate website is an information-sharing platform that enables the company to engage with stakeholders.
7. Northam Platinum (Johannesburg)
- Founded: 2020
- Headquarters: Johannesburg, South Africa
Northam Platinum Holdings Ltd is also among the top mining companies in South Africa. It owns three mines for platinum-group metals; Zondereinde, Booysendal and Eland. Northam Platinum employed 6,274 people in 2016 and has a steelmaking plant at Zondereinde. It combines creativity, innovation, and expertise, to maintain its status as part of the leading companies in SA's mining industry.
8. African Rainbow Minerals (Sandton)
Source: UGC
- Founded: November 2003
- Headquarters: Sandton, South Africa
The South African tycoon Patrice Motsepe established ARM in November 2003. The company has around 24,016 employees, including contractors. African Rainbow Minerals Limited has interests in numerous minerals, including iron, platinum and platinum group metals, coal, gold, and copper.
9. Palabora Mining Company Ltd (Limpopo province)
- Founded: 1956
- Headquarters: Phalaborwa, Limpopo province, South Africa
The Palabora Mining Company Ltd mines, extracts, and sells refined copper. The company's copper by-products are anode slimes, sulfuric acid, magnetite, uranium concentrates, and nickel sulphate. Palabora Mining produces around 45 000 tonnages of copper annually.
10. Kimberley Ekapa Mining Joint Venture (Johannesburg)
- Founded: July 2016
- Headquarters: Johannesburg, South Africa
Petra and Ekapa Mining formed KEM JV in July 2016. The company mines diamonds at the Kimberley Underground mine (Dutoitspan, Bultfontein, and Wesselton kimberlite pipes).
It is one of the best top 10 mining companies in South Africa. Kimberley Ekapa Mining Joint Venture produces fancy yellow diamonds like the Oppenheimer (about 253 carats). The largest diamond recovered at Kimberley Underground was +800 carats.
11. Cronimet Chrome Mining SA Pty. Ltd (Poplar Noordwyk Midrand)
- Founded: 2011
- Headquarters: Poplar Noordwyk Midrand, South Africa
Cronimet Chrome Mining SA has been mining chromite ore at the Thaba CRONIMET Chrome-Platinum Mine (Thaba Mine) since 2011. The company also processes the chromite ore into ferrochrome and trades it on the global market. Cronimet Chrome Mining SA has around 200 employees and cutting-edge technology.
12. Hluma Minerals (Sandton)
Source: UGC
- Headquarters: Sandton, South Africa
Hluma Minerals also tops the list of SA's mining companies. It operates in Northwest Province and the Northern Cape in South Africa and other regions across the continent. Hluma Minerals processes and trades in chrome, copper, manganese, iron and gold.
13. African Exploration Mining and Finance Corporation (Johannesburg)
- Founded: 1944
- Headquarters: Johannesburg, South Africa
AEMFC is a state-owned mining company and a subsidiary of the Central Energy Fund. It is among the biggest mining companies in Mpumalanga.
The company launched the Mpumalanga coal mining project in 2011, intending to produce 1.68 million tons of coal annually. A dynamic young talent manages African Exploration Mining and Finance Corporation (AEMFC).
14. AngloGold Ashanti Limited (Johannesburg)
- Founded: 2004
- Headquarters: Johannesburg, South Africa
The Ashanti Goldfields Corporation merged with AngloGold on 26 April 2004 to form AngloGold Ashanti Limited, which is now among the world's largest gold mining companies. AngloGold Ashanti Limited has 21 operations on four continents.
15. Gold Fields (Johannesburg)
- Founded: 1998
- Headquarters: Johannesburg, South Africa
Gold Fields is also among the largest gold mining companies in South Africa. The company has one gold mine in South Africa, two in Ghana, four in Australia, and one in Peru. Gold Fields employed 17,611 people in 2018.
16. Zambezi Platinum (Johannesburg)
Source: UGC
- Founded: 2015
- Headquarters: Johannesburg, South Africa
This is a South African platinum exploration and development company. Zambezi Platinum is focused on developing the Mphahlele platinum group metals project in Limpopo province.
17. Harmony Gold (Johannesburg)
- Founded: 1950
- Headquarters: Melrose Arch, Johannesburg, South Africa
Harmony Gold is the largest gold mining company in South Africa and operates in South Africa and Papua New Guinea. Harmony Gold has nine underground mines, one open-pit mine and several surface operations in South Africa.
18. Hotazel Manganese Mines (pty) Ltd (Northern Cape)
- Founded: 2007
- Headquarters: Northern Cape, South Africa
Hotazel Manganese Mines (Pty) Ltd (HMM) is a manganese mining company located in the Northern Cape Province of South Africa. It is a joint venture between South32 (44.4%), Anglo American Plc (44.4%), and Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment entities (11.2%).
The Hotazel Manganese Mines has two operations, the Wessles high-grade underground mine and the Mamatwan medium grade open-pit mine.
19. JCI Limited (Johannesburg)
- Founded: 1889
- Headquarters: Johannesburg, South Africa
Johannesburg Consolidated Investment Co. Ltd (JCI), is a South African diversified mining company founded by British entrepreneur Barney Barnato. JCI Limited focuses primarily on chrome, platinum group metals (PGMs), and manganese mining. It is one of the biggest mining companies in Africa with operations in South Africa, Ghana, Tanzania, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
20. Mmakau Mining (Gauteng)
Source: UGC
- Founded: 1980s
- Headquarters: Gauteng, South Africa
Mmakau Mining stands out as a pioneering mining enterprise boasting valuable assets in platinum, gold, uranium, coal, chrome, as well as offering exploration and mining services. Since its inception, Mmakau Mining has evolved into one of Africa's prominent mining entities. The company progressed to owning and developing its own mines in the early 1990s.
How many gold mines are in South Africa?
South Africa has 127 gold mines. The top five are South Deep Gold Mine, Tshepong Mine, Moab Khotsong Mine, Mponeng Mine and Kloof Gold Mine.
What are the top 5 mining companies in South Africa?
The top mining companies in South Africa are Anglo-American South Africa, BHP Billiton Energy Coal South Africa Ltd, Rio Tinto, Kumba Iron Ore Ltd and Sibanye-Stillwater.
How many mining companies are in South Africa?
There are 552 mines in South Africa, all of them listed on Africa Mining IQ. It stands as the leading producer of platinum, coal, gold, and diamonds on the continent.
Who is the biggest mine in South Africa?
Gold Fields owns most mines in South Africa with $12.5 billion market capitalization. It is SA's leading mining company in terms of market capitalization. It is closely followed by Anglo American Platinum with a market cap of $10.5 billion.
Who are the top 3 richest mine owners in South Africa?
The wealthiest mine owners in South Africa are Ivan Glasenberg, Patrice Tlhopane Motsepe and Desmond Sacco.
Which province has more mines in SA?
Mpumalanga, Limpopo, and North West have the largest mining workforces in the country.
The biggest mining companies in South Africa are some of the best companies to consider when looking for lucrative investments or well-paying jobs. These companies usually make public announcements when they have job vacancies or need investors. Therefore, always be on the lookout for these opportunities.
Briefly.co.za also shared a list of the top logistics companies in South Africa. Logistics and supply chains are vital to any business, including mining companies.
Shipping companies transport all types of cargo, from large, small, fragile, abnormal, normal, to perishable. Some only operate locally, while others have branches worldwide.
Source: Briefly News
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