The MEC for North West Province Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and
Tourism (DEDECT), Ms Bitsa Lenkopane, together with the Limpopo MEC for Economic
Development, Environment and Tourism (LEDET), Mr Tshitereke Matibe, have announced the
establishment of a joint inter-provincial Beneficiation Task Team.
This decision follows a high-level engagement at Sun City Resort, where experts, industry
leaders, and senior officials from both provinces gathered in response to the national
government’s call for stronger collaboration across spheres of governance where mineral
beneficiation and biodiversity economy are concerned.
The partnership seeks to reposition Limpopo and the North West—two of South Africa’s most
mineral and biodiversity resources-rich provinces—from being mainly exporters of raw
minerals to becoming regional beneficiation hubs for greater economic benefits and job
creation.
The beneficiation strategy will prioritise minerals, fauna, and flora with high potential for
downstream industries. These minerals include Platinum Group Metals and associated metals
for catalytic converters, electro-chemical applications, smelting, and refining, chrome,
ferrochrome, and manganese for ferroalloys, stainless steel inputs, and others.
Whilst on biodiversity economy, the focus is on bioprospecting and biotrade,
Wildlife Ranching, EcoTourism, Medicinal Plants, Game meat, and Forestry.
The MECs committed to examining policies and infrastructure that support beneficiation. This
includes preferential procurement for locally beneficiated products, expediting permits and
environmental approvals, and partnering with industry to expand logistics, power, and water
infrastructure. A co-funding model with industry will also be explored for pilot projects,
research, and training hubs.
The partnership also endeavours to investigate ways of effective collaboration with research
and training institutions to drive Research & Development, advanced manufacturing, and skills
development.
The meeting concurred to a phased approach to the implementation of the framework, with
the first two years focusing on designating land within SEZs for demonstration plants, tap into
the already existing National Transformation Fund for beneficiation, and piloting two sites—
one chrome hub in Steelpoort, a PGM-linked training centre in Rustenburg among other
activities.
Concluding the session, MEC Lenkopane stressed that the initiative will directly benefit
communities in both provinces. “Our goal is to create jobs, new industries, and a sustainable
economy driven by beneficiation,” she said. MEC Matibe echoed this, adding, “The minerals
of Limpopo and North West must no longer be exported as raw commodities because this is
essentially exporting jobs. Through beneficiation, we can build industrial capacity, empower
local SMMEs, and position our regions as global players in value-added mineral products.”
The two provinces will reconvene later this year to finalise the Beneficiation Task Team’s terms
of reference and accelerate the rollout of the pilot projects.
#END#
Issued by:
DEDECT
Jerrimiah Matebesi
Director: Communication and IT Services – 072 333 0325
LEDET
Hitekani Magwedze
MEC Spokesperson – 071 864 8664