Mantashe tells EU critical minerals deal must break old extraction model

By Lebone Rodah Mosima

Mineral and Petroleum Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe has said South Africa’s critical minerals must be used to build local industries and create economic value at home, as Europe looks to secure new supplies for its energy transition and industrial needs.

Speaking at the South Africa Country Window Workshop and Launch in Tzaneen, Limpopo, on Tuesday, Mantashe said the partnership with the European Union (EU) and the Kingdom of the Netherlands should not repeat an old mining model in which South Africa exports raw minerals while value is created elsewhere.

“For far too long, South Africa’s mining industry largely followed a pit-to-port approach to mining, thus exporting raw minerals while much of the value creation occurred elsewhere,” Mantashe said.

“That approach cannot continue if we are serious about industrialisation, job creation, poverty eradication, and economic transformation.”

The remarks come as South Africa seeks to position itself in