A brief overview of South Africa's mineral industry: World context and changing local circumstances

An examination of the important South African mineral resources clearly demonstrates that, omitting hydrocarbon fuels, South Africa (RSA) contains the greatest value of mineral wealth per square kilometre of surface area on Earth. The reserves of all these commodities are examined in a global context, comparing also their production and exports (1985-1994), as well as new events that have influenced their holdings situation and their exploitation over the last ten years up to 1994 or beyond. The mineral industry's current input to state revenue is also examined, along with continuing discussions to bring about the necessary alterations in the mineral and mining laws and policies in the RSA, in the post-apartheid environment. Mineral wealth is greatly dependant on secure land-tenure, so that this and the environmental aspects of mineral exploration and exploitation are also appraised. The brief examination of labour and industrial relations is also very pertinent at this stage of the political and economic development in the RSA. Finally, the future outlook for the RSA mining industry is reviewed.