Cape Town, South Africa – A comprehensive report by Mintek, presented by CEO Dr. Molefi Motuku, took centre stage at the South Africa Investment Forum at the 2025 Investing in African Mining Indaba, highlighting South Africa’s vast potential in the critical minerals sector. The report’s findings, coupled with the announcement of Giga-Africa 1, a landmark battery gigafactory project, underscored the country’s strategic move towards a mineral-driven manufacturing economy.
Dr. Motuku’s presentation detailed South Africa’s world-leading reserves of key critical minerals, including Platinum Group Metals (PGMs) – 88% global market share, manganese – 80% global market share, and that chromium and vermiculite also share impressive market ratios.
He emphasised the need to leverage these resources, estimated to be worth over US$2.5 trillion, to drive economic growth and industrial development. “South Africa is uniquely positioned to benefit from the global energy transition,” stated Dr. Motuku, “but we must act strategically to develop the necessary infrastructure and downstream industries.”
The Mintek report also highlighted the concerning decline in mineral exploration investment, falling from R6.2 billion in 2008 to R1.2 billion in 2023. This represents a significant drop from over 5% of the global exploration budget to below 1%, emphasising the urgent need for policy interventions and investment incentives to revitalise this crucial sector.
Following the Mintek presentation, a panel discussion featuring key government officials and industry leaders explored an integrated approach to growing the mining industry. The panel included Hon. Gwede Mantashe, Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources, Dr. Nobuhle Nkabane, Minister of Higher Education, Mzila Mthenjane, CEO, Mineral Council of South Africa, and Bernard Swanepoel, Executive Chairman, Manganese Metal Company.
Minister Mantashe emphasised the government’s commitment to creating a conducive environment for investment. “We are working to streamline regulations and provide the necessary support to attract both local and international investors,” he stated. Dr. Nkabane highlighted the importance of skills development and education to support the growing critical minerals sector. “We need to invest in training and education to ensure that we have the skilled workforce required to meet the demands of this rapidly evolving industry,” she said.
Mzila Mthenjane, representing the mining industry, stressed the need for collaboration between government, industry, and communities. “We need to work together to ensure that the benefits of mining are shared equitably and that we develop a sustainable and responsible mining sector,” he stated. Bernard Swanepoel echoed this sentiment, adding, “The development of downstream industries is crucial to maximising the value of our mineral resources and creating long-term economic opportunities.”
The announcement of Giga-Africa 1, a joint venture between Megamillion and Chinese battery expert Dr. Henry Mao, served as a tangible example of the growing investor interest in South Africa’s critical minerals sector. The gigafactory, with a planned capacity of 32GWh, will focus on the production of lithium-ion batteries, key components for electric vehicles and renewable energy storage. “Our vision of manufacturing lithium-ion cells and electrodes on African soil is finally becoming a reality,” stated Megamillion CEO Nechan Naicker.
These developments represent a decisive shift towards a more diversified South African mining sector, poised to capitalise on the global demand for green energy technologies.
