Mining

Steenkampskraal Monazite Mine begins construction of a new processing plant to boost South Africa’s rare earth supply chain. (Image source: Steenkampskraal Monazite Mine)

Steenkampskraal Monazite Mine (SMM) has marked the official start of construction of its new monazite processing plant with a ceremonial soil-turning event

The milestone forms part of the mine’s phased development strategy and is expected to position South Africa as a producer of high-grade monazite concentrate, an important feedstock for rare earth elements used in renewable energy, electronics, medical and defence technologies.

The announcement follows recent operational progress at the site. SMM said it has successfully commissioned its on-site laboratory and, for the first time in more than 60 years, produced monazite concentrate through its metallurgical circuit.

Graham Soden, CEO of SMM, said, “The initial product has demonstrated approximately 50% total rare earth oxide (TREO) content, confirming the high-grade nature of the deposit. In parallel, the mine’s hydrometallurgical laboratory circuit is currently undergoing optimisation. Early results have been encouraging, with production of mixed rare earth carbonate (MREC) and cracked thorium anticipated in the near term.”

The new processing facility, located close to the existing underground decline shaft exit, will receive monazite-rich ore directly through a purpose-built conveyor belt system. Ore from underground operations will be transferred to the surface plant for initial concentration using gravity separation and flotation technology.

According to the company, the Steenkampskraal plant has been designed to achieve steady-state annual production of around 13,400 tonnes of monazite concentrate containing more than 50% total rare earth oxides (TREO). During the initial ramp-up phase, output is expected to begin at approximately 6,600 tonnes per year, rising to full capacity by the end of the first year.

“This phase will use proven gravity separation and flotation technology, optimised through modern refinements and pilot testing by the Saskatchewan Research Council and Mintek. The process flow draws on the successful methods used during Anglo American’s historic operations at Steenkampskraal between 1952 and 1963. It has been adapted for modern environmental standards and incorporates a multi-gravity separation circuit, currently under evaluation for enhanced recovery efficiency.

“The processing plant will receive feedstock from both historic surface stockpiles and underground ore, minimising initial capital expenditure and operational risk. This approach provides early revenue generation while refurbishment of underground infrastructure continues in parallel. The design also includes a front-end comminution and milling circuit, ensuring consistent feed quality to the concentrator and allowing for optimal grade control.

“Phase 1 forms the foundation for subsequent processing stages, including hydrometallurgical treatment, oxide separation and product manufacturing, all of which will be undertaken within South Africa to maximise local beneficiation and value retention.”

Enock Mathebula, executive chairperson of SMM, added, “This phase represents the practical realisation of our strategy to re-establish Steenkampskraal as a globally significant source of rare earth materials.

“We are leveraging proven metallurgical processes, supported by modern technology and strong compliance standards, to ensure a sustainable and efficient operation that benefits both the national economy and local communities.

“The soil-turning event is more than a construction milestone, it is the foundation of Steenkampskraal’s commercial future. By establishing dedicated ore transport and processing infrastructure, we are creating South Africa’s first dedicated monazite concentration facility. This concentrate represents our initial revenue-generating product and will serve as feedstock for subsequent value-adding stages, including mixed rare earth carbonate and thorium production.

“The soil-turning demonstrates our commitment to rapid, responsible development. With funding secured and construction now underway, we are on track to establish a revenue-generating process before the end of 2026. This will not only generate early cash flow but also create jobs, support local communities and contribute to South Africa’s critical minerals strategy. Offtake discussions for the concentrate are already advanced with international partners.

“The Steenkampskraal deposit is recognised as one of the highest-grade rare earth and thorium resources globally, with a NI 43-101 compliant current resource of 665,000 tonnes at 14.5% TREO and significant co-products including thorium (2.14%). The spade-ready project benefits from fully developed underground and surface infrastructure, full regulatory licensing and an experienced mining partner, Bora Mining Investments (BMI).”

“SMM remains committed to sustainable practices, including environmental rehabilitation, community skills development and compliance with all nuclear and environmental regulations.”

Located in the Western Cape, Steenkampskraal Monazite Mine is a rare earth and thorium project owned by Steenkampskraal Holdings in partnership with Bora Mining Investments (BMI). The company said the fully permitted project is progressing a phased development plan to produce monazite concentrate, mixed rare earth carbonates, thorium and eventually separated rare earth oxides, supporting global critical minerals supply chains.

Ivanhoe Mines advances Platreef growth with Shaft #3 completion and new Phase 2 expansion works underway. (Image source: Ivanhoe Mines)

Ivanhoe Mines executive co-chair Robert Friedland and president and CEO Marna Cloete have announced that a project ceremony was held at the Platreef Mine to celebrate the completion of three significant development milestones

The achievements include the completion of construction of the 4-million-tonne-per-annum (Mtpa) Shaft #3, the official ground-breaking for the Phase 2 concentrator site, and the start of widening works at Shaft #2. These milestones represent an important step forward for the mine’s Phase 2 expansion and the planned future Phase 3 expansion.

The ceremony at the site was attended by Ivanhoe Mines president and CEO Marna Cloete, senior leadership from Ivanhoe Mines and Ivanplats, along with representatives from Ivanplats shareholders Japan Organization for Metals and Energy Security (JOGMEC), ITOCHU Corporation, and the broad-based black equity empowerment (B-BBEE) group.

Ivanhoe Mines founder and co-chairman Robert Friedland commented, “The Platreef Mine is not a typical South African precious metals mine scratching at narrow, one-metre-thick seams. The Platreef Mine is a once-in-a-generation geological wonder… a discovery so vast that it will be producing precious metals for generations to come. The flat-lying orebody is approximately twenty-five times thicker than our industry incumbents, averaging 26 metres of continuous mineralisation… thickness means scale, which means mechanisation, and mechanization means lower costs and safer operations.

“Years ago, our Japanese partners had the foresight to recognise this potential… The consortium, led by ITOCHU Corporation, made a bold, decisive investment, without which we would not be where we are today. We thank you for your continued support.”

“We are ramping up the mine at a time when metal prices are rising. Scarcity is real and the demand is relentless. Platinum, palladium, rhodium, copper and nickel are identified by countries all around the globe as critical minerals and therefore strategic to agenda of many of the world’s developed and developing economies.”

Trafigura signs gold offtake deal with Heath Goldfields and provides US$65mn financing for Bogoso–Prestea restart.

Trafigura Group Pte Ltd has entered into an offtake agreement with Heath Goldfields Ltd. for the purchase of 700,000 ounces of gold doré from the Bogoso–Prestea Gold Mine in the Western Region of Ghana

In parallel, Trafigura will provide US$65mn in debt financing to support the restart of oxide ore operations at the site.

Under the agreement, Trafigura will act as the offtaker for gold doré produced at the Bogoso–Prestea processing facility, with deliveries expected to begin later this year.

The Bogoso–Prestea Gold Mine is among West Africa’s most established gold operations, with cumulative production exceeding 9 million ounces since 1912. Heath Goldfields resumed activity at the site with its first gold pour in February 2026, marking the restart of operations after a two-year pause. The mine includes a 1.5 million tonnes per annum carbon-in-leach (CIL) processing plant and meets SK-1300 reporting standards set by the US Securities and Exchange Commission.

This agreement represents Trafigura’s first gold transaction in Ghana and its second across Africa, following a debt financing deal in December 2025 supporting Sierra Leone’s first commercial-scale gold mine. The move reflects the company’s ongoing expansion in the precious metals segment, leveraging its established capabilities in physical trading, logistics, and global market access.

Gonzalo De Olazaval, head of metals and minerals, Trafigura Group, said, “We are pleased to sign this offtake agreement with Heath Goldfields. This is Trafigura’s second gold transaction on the African continent and our first in Ghana’s gold sector, a market where we have long-standing commercial relationships across other commodities.”

“Trafigura has been active across metals and minerals markets in Africa for over two decades, and the continent remains a cornerstone as we continue to expand our precious metals business. Bogoso–Prestea is a producing asset with a strong operational team and LBMA compliance, and we look forward to applying our physical trading expertise and market access in support of a Ghanaian-owned operation of this quality.”