According to the annual review, the mining sector employed 470,457 people in 2025 and paid R200 billion in wages.
The Minerals Council South Africa has reiterated that the country's mining industry remains a critical pillar of the economy despite ongoing domestic and global uncertainty.
The Minerals Council’s members account for approximately 90% of South Africa’s annual mined production by value, underlining the organisation’s influential role in shaping the future direction of one of the country’s most important industries.
During its 136th Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Wednesday, the council called for urgent policy certainty, infrastructure reform and sustainable investment to secure the sector’s future growth.
The council's 2025 integrated annual review also outlined the challenges facing the sector, including regulatory uncertainty, infrastructure constraints, rising electricity costs and emerging water security risks.
