Geography economic geo of South Africa:
Mining
Mining contributes to the South African economy in many ways:
Mining contributed 9.8% to the GDP in 2011.
Many manufacturing industries, transport links and service
occupations have been started to supply the mining industry.
With multiplier effects. About 18% to the GDP.
40% of South Africa’s exports are mineral products.
Mines and quarries are a major source of employment.
The significate of mining to the development of South Africa.
The discovery of diamonds and gold was followed by the
construction of railways. Railway buildings made export
possible.
Mining led to a rise for training in mining, engineering and other
fields. Technikons and universities opened.
Money from mining was used to develop infrastructure.
Export of minerals brings in foreign exchange.
Employment.
Factors that favour mining in South Africa:
Huge reserves: estimated largest in the world.
Wide range of mineral wealth.
Mineral seams are thick and near the surface.
Low thermal gradient reduces the cost of cooling the air.
Capital was available to develop mines.
Coal is available for energy.
Low-paid labour: skilled and unskilled workforce.
Government-aid is available to help small-scale independent
miners.
Technology helps to advance mines.
Factors that hinder mining in South Africa:
Many mines are far inland-transport costs
Fluctuations in rand exchange rates.
Underground water is dangerous.
Acid-mine drainage affects the environment and health.
Environmental concerns restoring the land after mining.
Labour costs have risen steeply
, HIV/Aids
Lung diseases- compensate families of employees
Problems faced by platinum mining:
A platinum mine and processing plant cost billions to construct.
Mining companies face the following problems:
Soaring costs of labour, minerals, materials and transport.
High tax on profits
Stoppage for safety repairs
Fluctuating demand
Trade union and political pressure to keep open less-profitable
mines and employing workers.
Manganese (Mn) in South Africa and the link to PE:
South Africa has about 75% of the world’s manganese resources.
Country has ranked second in the world’s manganese ore production.
Contributing less than 20% per year attributed by the lack of capacity
developments in the country’s manganese industry.
Found in the manganese rich Kalahari Basin in the Northern
Cape.
60 km north west of Kuruman.
It is a 425 km2 deposit of manganese.
Home to 80% of the world’s manganese ore body.
Hotazel manganese mines (HMM), consortium and the Anglo-
American plc.
Mined in open pit mines.
3000 people on manganese mines/projects.
Although Northern Cape is rich in resources it has the highest
rate of poverty and unemployment in SA.
Mining industry contributes 8.3% to GDP represents 25% of
SA’s total exports.
Water, pollution and illness:
Mining uses a lot of water, and the Northern Cape already has a very
low rainfall.
Mining contaminates water.
Manganese mining can contaminate water, soil and air, leading to
numerous health issues.
Mining generates a vast amount of dust, which may be contaminated
with several toxic metals. Can use TB.
Mining
Mining contributes to the South African economy in many ways:
Mining contributed 9.8% to the GDP in 2011.
Many manufacturing industries, transport links and service
occupations have been started to supply the mining industry.
With multiplier effects. About 18% to the GDP.
40% of South Africa’s exports are mineral products.
Mines and quarries are a major source of employment.
The significate of mining to the development of South Africa.
The discovery of diamonds and gold was followed by the
construction of railways. Railway buildings made export
possible.
Mining led to a rise for training in mining, engineering and other
fields. Technikons and universities opened.
Money from mining was used to develop infrastructure.
Export of minerals brings in foreign exchange.
Employment.
Factors that favour mining in South Africa:
Huge reserves: estimated largest in the world.
Wide range of mineral wealth.
Mineral seams are thick and near the surface.
Low thermal gradient reduces the cost of cooling the air.
Capital was available to develop mines.
Coal is available for energy.
Low-paid labour: skilled and unskilled workforce.
Government-aid is available to help small-scale independent
miners.
Technology helps to advance mines.
Factors that hinder mining in South Africa:
Many mines are far inland-transport costs
Fluctuations in rand exchange rates.
Underground water is dangerous.
Acid-mine drainage affects the environment and health.
Environmental concerns restoring the land after mining.
Labour costs have risen steeply
, HIV/Aids
Lung diseases- compensate families of employees
Problems faced by platinum mining:
A platinum mine and processing plant cost billions to construct.
Mining companies face the following problems:
Soaring costs of labour, minerals, materials and transport.
High tax on profits
Stoppage for safety repairs
Fluctuating demand
Trade union and political pressure to keep open less-profitable
mines and employing workers.
Manganese (Mn) in South Africa and the link to PE:
South Africa has about 75% of the world’s manganese resources.
Country has ranked second in the world’s manganese ore production.
Contributing less than 20% per year attributed by the lack of capacity
developments in the country’s manganese industry.
Found in the manganese rich Kalahari Basin in the Northern
Cape.
60 km north west of Kuruman.
It is a 425 km2 deposit of manganese.
Home to 80% of the world’s manganese ore body.
Hotazel manganese mines (HMM), consortium and the Anglo-
American plc.
Mined in open pit mines.
3000 people on manganese mines/projects.
Although Northern Cape is rich in resources it has the highest
rate of poverty and unemployment in SA.
Mining industry contributes 8.3% to GDP represents 25% of
SA’s total exports.
Water, pollution and illness:
Mining uses a lot of water, and the Northern Cape already has a very
low rainfall.
Mining contaminates water.
Manganese mining can contaminate water, soil and air, leading to
numerous health issues.
Mining generates a vast amount of dust, which may be contaminated
with several toxic metals. Can use TB.
