en.Wedoany.com Reported - South Africa's Steenkampskraal Monazite Mine (SMM), in collaboration with the national mineral research institute Mintek, has successfully produced high-purity mixed rare earth products at laboratory facilities. These products will serve as critical raw materials for the global energy transition, digital transformation, and medical applications.
This achievement lays the foundation for South Africa to achieve commercial production of rare earth products by the end of 2026. Long-term plans will expand to include the beneficiation of rare earth elements and thorium, as well as medical isotope production. Dr Enock Mathebula, Executive Chairman and shareholder of Steenkampskraal Monazite Mine, noted that collaboration with key South African organizations such as the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) and Mintek is crucial to ensuring the safe, compliant, and commercially successful implementation of this strategic project. He believes this is not only a victory for Steenkampskraal and Mintek but also demonstrates South Africa's ability to develop world-class technologies, create local beneficiation opportunities, and participate in the global critical minerals supply chain.
Dr Molefi Motuku, CEO of Mintek, stated that this milestone proves what can be achieved when research institutions and industry partners unite around a shared vision of value addition and local beneficiation. He emphasized that Mintek's expertise, combined with Steenkampskraal's world-class resources, demonstrates that South Africa not only possesses minerals but also the scientific capability to compete in global critical mineral processing.
This milestone was achieved through long-term collaboration between the two institutions, making South Africa the first African country to successfully produce rare earth products through cooperation between a mining company and a national research institution. Loyiso Tyabashe, Group CEO of the South African Nuclear Energy Corporation (Necsa), considers this collaboration a game-changer in the rare earth mineral sector, laying the foundation for long-term beneficiation plans. He mentioned that Necsa is ready to leverage its expertise to collaborate, capturing and developing opportunities in the high-end value chain of rare earth and thorium products.
The Steenkampskraal Mine, restarted from care and maintenance in 2024, has received approvals from the National Nuclear Regulator (NNR) and the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources (DMPR). Funding for the first phase of the metallurgical processing plant has been secured through the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC), and plant construction is currently underway, with commissioning planned for August 2026. Dr Mathebula added that all parties are advancing discussions and development efforts aimed at establishing separation capabilities in South Africa, with a vision not only to extract resources but to create greater value within the country, making it a rare earth processing hub in Africa. Construction of the processing plant is progressing well, with concentrate production expected to begin later this year and first shipments anticipated by the end of 2026. The mine is engaging with several strategic investors who are currently conducting due diligence on potential project participation. Located in the Western Cape Province, the Steenkampskraal Mine is the world's highest-grade deposit of rare earth elements and thorium, originally mined by Anglo American in 1952 for thorium extraction to support international nuclear energy projects.
This article is compiled by Wedoany. All AI citations must indicate the source as "Wedoany". If there is any infringement or other issues, please notify us promptly, and we will modify or delete it accordingly. Email: news@wedoany.com
