The mining sector forms an important part of the South African economy. In 2024, the industry contributed an added value of approximately ****** billion South African rand (around ***** billion U.S. dollars) to the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP). In recent years, the overall growth rate of value-added GDP has followed a declining trend due to the general challenges the global mining industry is facing coupled with the additional burden of deteriorating infrastructure, port congestion, illegal mining activities, among many others. How does mining contribute to local employment? In 2024, the mining trade provided direct employment to almost **** a million people in South Africa. The largest employer of all mineral commodities produced was the platinum group metals (PGMs), which employed nearly ** percent of the total. In terms of production volume, coal was South Africa’s largest produced commodity over the past decade. Revenue and leading mining companies Although PGMs generated close to ** percent of the accumulated revenue from South African mining activities, it suffered a significant decline in 2024. On the other hand, the proceeds made from gold mining have increased by roughly **** percent from the previous year. As a result of global geopolitical precariousness, rising inflation, and economic growth concerns, gold has strengthened its position as a resilient and trusted asset. Gold Fields is the leading mining company in South Africa, with a market capitalization amounting to about *** billion South African rand (nearly **** billion U.S. dollars. The firm has agreed to form a joint venture with Anglo Gold with the aim of creating the largest gold mine in Africa, whereby Goldfields will hold ********** of its stake.

In 2024, the South African mining sector's added value to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) experienced an increase of *** percent from the previous year. The downward trend was already registered in 2018, when the sector's contribution to the GDP decreased by *** percent. However, there was a significant increase of **** percent recorded in 2021 due to post-pandemic (COVID-19) recovery efforts.

GDP from Mining in South Africa decreased to 196879.51 ZAR Million in the first quarter of 2025 from 205389.22 ZAR Million in the fourth quarter of 2024. This dataset provides the latest reported value for - South Africa Gdp From Mining - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news.

In 2024, South Africa's platinum group metals mining industry employed some ******* people; thus it was the largest employer of all mineral commodities produced in the country. It was also South Africa's largest commodity based on production volume in most years over the past decade. Platinum group metals include platinum, palladium, rhodium, ruthenium, osmium, and iridium. The mining industry is an important part of the South African economy. As of 2024, the industry contributed around ***** billion South African rand to the country's GDP and employed a total of ******* people.

In the first quarter of 2025, the South African mining sector's added value to GDP experienced a decrease of **** percent from the previous quarter. Additionally, from 2022 to 2023, the contribution of South Africa’s mining sector to the economy also declined.

In 2023, around 93,600 people were employed by South Africa's gold mining industry. In total, these employees earned some 34.3 billion South Africa rand (about 1.9 billion U.S. dollars) that year. Compared to 2011, South African gold mining employment has decreased by over 51,200 people. The industry has been hindered by rising costs, mainly concerning electricity, underground mining, and salaries and wages. The South African gold mining industry faces challenges South Africa’s gold mining sector has endured numerous challenges, such as the depletion of minerals and financial losses. Gold production has generally followed a constant declining trend, with irregular electricity supply through load-shedding limiting mining activities. Additionally, mining employees are some of the best paid among those working in the industrial sector in the country. However, they also contribute the most to the mining sector’s operational expenditure, at 33 percent. Overview of the South African mining industry South African mining companies dominate the global mining industry. In 2023, the country was the leading producer of platinum worldwide, with an output of 120 metric tons. At the same time, South Africa accounted for around 23 percent of the global export trade of platinum. The overall mining industry is an important part of the South African economy. As of 2023, the industry contributed around 202.1 billion South African rand to the country's GDP and employed a total of 477,000 people.

In 2024, South Africa's coal production amounted to 235 million metric tons and was the highest produced mining product. On the other hand, platinum group metal production amounted to around 250 metric tons. As of the same year, platinum group metals employed the largest number of people in the mining sector. Platinum group metals include platinum, palladium, rhodium, ruthenium, osmium, and iridium. The mining industry is an important part of the South African economy. As of 2024, the industry contributed 7.53 percent to the country's GDP and employed a total of 477,000 people.

Diamond mining employed over 15,000 people in South Africa in 2023. This was an increase compared to the previous year when nearly 14,600 people were employed by South Africa's diamond mining industry. The mining industry is an important part of the South African economy, contributing over 202 billion rand to the country's GDP in 2023. In the same year, South Africa's mining industry employed a total of 477,000 people.

In 2023, the mining and quarrying industry contributed 16.7 percent to Botswana's GDP. Moreover, in the same year, diamond traders added approximately 1.4 percent to the country's economy. Botswana is a leading producer of diamonds on the African continent, together with the Democratic Republic of the Congo and South Africa.

In 2022, a total of ******* people were employed by South Africa's mining industry. This figure has remained relatively stable in recent years. The country's platinum group mines accounted for the largest share of overall mining employment in the year under review.

The mining industry is an important part of the South African economy. As of 2022, the industry contributed ***** billion South African rand to the country's GDP and employed a total of ******* people.

In 2023, the mining and quarrying industry contributed around ** billion Botswanan pula (about ***** billion U.S. dollars) to Botswana's GDP. Moreover, in the same year, diamond traders added approximately *** billion Botswanan pula (*** million U.S. dollars) to the country's economy. Botswana is a leading producer of diamonds on the African continent, together with the Democratic Republic of the Congo and South Africa.

South Africa's coal mining industry employed nearly 91,000 people as of 2022. In total, coal mining personnel earned some 31.7 million rand that year.

The mining industry is an important part of the South African economy. As of 2022, the industry contributed 493.8 billion South African rand to the country's GDP and employed a total of 475,561 people.

Foreign direct investment (FDI) in Ghana amounted to 1.88 billion U.S. dollars in 2021, which represented roughly 3.3 percent of the country's GDP. Compared to 2020, the FDI inflow decreased by 730 million U.S. dollars. Ghana's mining and agricultural sectors are major areas for direct investment equity flows. In 2020, the total investment flowing into the mining sector totaled slightly over 1.1 billion U.S. dollars. Comparatively, direct investment aimed at the agriculture, farming, and fishing sector reached around 8.6 million U.S. dollars.

Major foreign investors

The government of Ghana has introduced tax holidays and corporate tax reductions or exemptions to promote foreign investments. In recent years, some major foreign investors in the country have included China and the United Kingdom. For instance, in 2020, the total stock of FDIs emanating from China amounted to around 1.6 billion U.S. dollars. Other main investors include South Africa, the Netherlands, and Australia.

Rising contribution of domestic investment to GDP

Gross domestic investment was projected to account for 22.1 percent of Ghana's GDP in 2022, representing an increase from an estimated 20.1 percent in the previous year. For domestic private investments, the share was forecast at 20.4 percent in 2022, up from the 18 percent estimate in the preceding year. On the other hand, domestic public investments in Ghana was projected at 1.8 percent of the nation's GDP in 2022, slightly declining from 2.1 percent in 2021.