Unlocking South Africa’s true mining exploration potential

GLOBAL exploration statistics often tell a partial story—and South Africa is a prime example.

- Jacob Mbele, Director General Department of Minerals and Petroleum Resources. The views expressed here do not necessarily represent those of Independent Media or IOL.

AS THE rush for critical minerals accelerates, attracting exploration capital requires clear, credible data, says the author.

(I SUPPLIED)

Countries such as Australia and Canada dominate international exploration rankings not only because of their geological activity, but because their junior mining companies are publicly listed on exchanges that require detailed disclosure. This visibility makes their exploration footprint easy to measure.South Africa appears to contribute less than 1% of global exploration spend, but this figure reflects only the work of listed companies. When privately funded and unlisted explorers are included, the country's true contribution is significantly higher. The reality is simple: a lack of disclosed data does not mean a lack of exploration.

The mining sector remains a cornerstone of the South African economy, contributing R444.2 billion to GDP and employing nearly half a million people in 2023. Exploration-vital for sustaining this economic engine is taking place across the country, yet much of it goes unrecorded in international datasets because most junior miners are not listed on the JSE.