It is not hyperbolic for one to say that South Africa is massively rich in solid minerals, hence the presence of mining companies in the country.
Mining in South Africa started when the first copper mine was established in the Northern Cape Province in the early 1850s. In 1867, the first diamond was discovered in Hopetown, after which diamond mines were established in Kimberley, also in the Northern Cape.
Mining is not a sector that grows at a very fast pace. It takes years for the minerals in a reserve to mature.
In South Africa, The mining industry is administered by the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE).
There are many top mining companies in South Africa who carry out exploration services in the country. Some are owned by South Africans while some are foreign companies. In this article, we will highlight the top 10 mining companies in South Africa based on the minerals explore and the services they offer.
Top 10 Best Mining Companies in South Africa
1. Anglo American
Anglo American plc, based in Johannesburg, is one of the world’s largest platinum producers. Furthermore, the corporation is a major producer of nickel, diamonds, metallurgical and thermal coal, copper, and iron ore, among other commodities. Anglo American plc is based in London, United Kingdom, but also has operations in North America, Australasia, South America, and Europe.
This mining company’s level of honesty in ensuring that their products are part of the resources needed to create a more sustainable future is admirable. They have retained their position as one of the premier mining firms by a combination of creativity, innovation, and skill.
2. BHP Billiton Energy Coal South Africa Proprietary Limited
The company, formerly known as Ingwe Collieries Limited, takes pride in being the owner and operator of collieries in both Mpumalanga and KwaZulu Natal provinces of South Africa. South32 Limited is the parent company of BHP Billiton, which was created in 1944.
3. Rio Tinto
Rio Tinto is a multinational mining business with headquarters in London, United Kingdom. The corporation is headquartered in Melbourne, Australia, and produces aluminum, diamonds, bauxite, molybdenum, copper, uranium, coal, and iron core, among other things.
Rio Tinto, which has been in business for 146 years, is happy to employ 47,000 people and generate sales of $40.522 billion in 2018.
4. Kumba Iron Ore Ltd
Kumba Iron Ore concentrates on exploring, beneficiating, marketing, and selling iron ore to the international market as one of South Africa’s iron ore mines.
After Kumba Resources’ coal and heavy mineral activities were spun off in November 2006, the firm took over. As a result, Kumba Iron Ore, which now specializes on heavy minerals, and Exxaro Resources, which handles coal, were formed. Kumba Iron Ore had a net profit of R14,148 million in 2014 and employed 14,040 people.
5. Sibanye-Stillwater
Sibanye-Stillwater is one of South Africa’s largest gold mining enterprises, as well as the third largest producer of palladium and platinum. The company mines, extracts, and processes gold to create a beneficiated product that is then refined into gold bars with a purity of at least 99.5 percent.
In April 2019, Sibanye-Stillwater acquired SFA Oxford, a leading metal market analytics consultancy firm, for the second time.
6. South African Coal Mining Holdings Ltd
Location: 198 Oxford Rd, Illovo, Sandton, 2196.
7. African Rainbow Minerals
Location: 29 Impala Rd, Chislehurston, Sandton, 2196.
8. Becker Mining South Africa (Pty) Ltd
Location: 10 Clarke St, Alrode, Alberton, 1451.
9. Anvil Mining Investment Company South Africa (Pty) Ltd
Location: Oxford Rd, Melrose, Rosebank, Johannesburg, 2196.
10. Cronimet Chrome Mining SA Pty. Ltd.
Location: Building C Willow Wood Office Park, Broadacres, Johannesburg, 2021.
