We are in Welkom, Matjhabeng Local Municipality, for the official launch of the Mineworkers Development Agency's Digital Hub. The establishment of this Digital Hub is an investment in people, technology, & skills. It will help build a new generation of entrepreneurs & innovators

The launch of the Welkom Digital Hub, together with the Marikana Agri-Hub, is deeply encouraging. These initiatives not only promote life after mining, but they also give practical meaning to the MDA’s vision of being a “partner in sustainable development”

As a veteran of the 1987 mineworkers’ strike that shook the Chamber of Mines, I carry a deep appreciation for what the MDA represents. The continued existence & growth of the MDA gives me confidence that the sacrifices of those mineworkers were not in vain

The sacrifices of the 1987 mineworkers brought real transformation to the South African mining industry. As a result of their sacrifices, the coal sector is now predominantly black-owned & managed, with notable progress recorded in the platinum & manganese sectors.

The Mineworkers Development Agency was born out of that very struggle for the transformation of the South African mining industry and was established to respond to the devastating job losses that followed the 1987 strike.

We meet at a time when the global economy is undergoing a profound structural shift - at the centre of which lies the growing demand for critical minerals. This demand has the potential to be a game-changer in tackling the challenge of global inequality if managed carefully.

Despite its long & distinguished history of mining, Africa remains richly endowed with not less than 30% of the world’s known deposits of these sought-after mineral resources. This global race for critical minerals is reshaping trade dynamics, geopolitics, & industrial policy.

Alongside PGMs, manganese, iron ore, chrome ore, cobalt, lithium, graphite, & rare earth elements are the more traditional yet equally critical minerals such as gold, coal, & diamonds – all of which continue to anchor our economies & provide the much-needed employment

The global demand for these critical minerals is expected to more than double by 2040 - Africa must capitalise on this. These resources present the continent with a distinct opportunity to stimulate sustainable economic growth, create employment, & drive industrialisation

Africa remains largely trapped in pit-to-port models, with limited beneficiation & minimal participation in global mining value chains. This historical pattern has left us contending with underdeveloped infrastructure & unequal access to downstream economic benefits

Africa must unite in elevating its role in the global mining value chains – from being primarily an exporter of raw minerals to becoming a key player in value-added production & supply chain integration. We must encourage inclusive partnerships that prioritise local development

In line with SA’s own approach, the G20 Critical Minerals Framework is structured around & interrelated strategic pillars, each addressing challenges across the value chain: Mapping & Exploration; Value Addition & Local Development; Stable, Resilient & Diversified Value Chains...

A persistent challenge we must address is the exploration financing gap. In SA, we see encouraging cooperation between government & industry through the Junior Mining Exploration Fund, established to support junior companies facing barriers to meaningful exploration.

Together, we can strengthen collaboration among governments, industry, regional bodies and development partners, thus ensure that our mineral wealth becomes a foundation for shared prosperity and sustainable growth.

📸🌍 Scenes from the 𝐆𝟐𝟎 𝐂𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐬 𝐅𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭. #G20SouthAfrica | #ReKaoFele | #CriticalMinerals | #G20

A goal and an assist for Lyle in South Africa’s opening game of AFCON 👏🇿🇦 TotalEnergies AFCON 2025 | Bafana Bafana

DDG Nzimande provides an overview of today’s Mining Indaba proceedings and what to look forward to in the upcoming days. #miningindaba2026

Minister Mantashe’s remarks at the MINISTERIAL SYMPOSIUM | Banking on Africa: Mobilising Capital through partnership   #MiningIndaba2026

DMPR PROVIDES AN UPDATE ON FUEL SUPPLY AND PRICES While prolonged geopolitical tensions may exert pressure on international oil prices, the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources ‏ wishes to assure the public that there is currently no immediate risk of fuel shortages in South Africa.