| Location | |
|---|---|
| Gauteng | |
| Country | South Africa |
| Production | |
| Products | uranium |
The Mintails mine is a large mine located in the northern part of South Africa in Gauteng. Mintails represents one of the largest uranium reserves in South Africa having estimated reserves of 210.3 million tonnes of ore grading 0.0046% uranium. [1]
Mining in South Africa was once the main driving force behind the history and development of Africa's most advanced and richest economy. Large-scale and profitable mining started with the discovery of a diamond on the banks of the Orange River in 1867 by Erasmus Jacobs and the subsequent discovery and exploitation of the Kimberley pipes a few years later. Gold rushes to Pilgrim's Rest and Barberton were precursors to the biggest discovery of all, the Main Reef/Main Reef Leader on Gerhardus Oosthuizen's farm Langlaagte, Portion C, in 1886, the Witwatersrand Gold Rush and the subsequent rapid development of the gold field there, the biggest of them all.
Uranium production is an important part of the African economy, with Niger, Namibia and South Africa creating up to 18% of the world's annual production. Many African countries produce uranium or have untapped uranium ore deposits.
The mineral mining industry is a crucial piece of the Economy of Niger. Exports of minerals consistently account for 40% of exports.
Namibia has one of the richest uranium mineral reserves in the world. There are currently two large operating mines in the Erongo Region and various exploration projects planned to advance to production in the next few years.
The world's largest producer of uranium is Kazakhstan, which in 2019 produced 43% of the world's mining output. Canada was the next largest producer with a 13% share, followed by Australia with 12%. Uranium has been mined in every continent except Antarctica.
The South Deep mine is a large mine located in the northern part of South Africa in Gauteng. South Deep represents one of the largest uranium reserves in South Africa having estimated reserves of 126 million tonnes of ore grading 0.0062% uranium.
The Buffelsfontein mine is a large mine located in the northern part of South Africa in Gauteng. Buffelsfontein represents one of the largest uranium reserves in South Africa having estimated reserves of 59.3 million tonnes of ore grading 0.016% uranium.
The Hartebeestfontein Mine is a large mine located in the northern part of South Africa in Gauteng. Hartebeestfontein represents one of the largest uranium reserves in South Africa having estimated reserves of 641 million tonnes of ore grading 0.007% uranium.
The Randfontein mine is a large mine located in the northern part of South Africa in Gauteng. Randfontein represents one of the largest uranium reserves in South Africa having estimated reserves of 131.2 million tonnes of ore grading 0.066% uranium.
The Beaufort West mine is a large mine located near Beaufort West in the northern part of the Western Cape, South Africa. Beaufort West represents one of the largest uranium reserves in South Africa having estimated reserves of 23 million tonnes of ore grading 0.08% uranium.
The Kopanang mine is a large mine located in the northern part of South Africa in Gauteng. Kopanang represents one of the largest uranium reserves in South Africa having estimated reserves of 37.1 million tonnes of ore grading 0.065% uranium.
The Moab Khotsong mine is a large mine located in the northern part of South Africa in North West some 180 kilometers (110 mi) southwest of Johannesburg, South Africa. Moab Khotsong represents one of the largest uranium reserves in South Africa having estimated reserves of 57.2 million tonnes of ore grading 0.058% uranium.
The Vaal River mine is a large mine located in the northern part of South Africa in Gauteng. Vaal River represents one of the largest uranium reserves in South Africa having estimated reserves of 379.2 million tonnes of ore grading 0.0076% uranium.
The West Wits mine is a large mine located in the northern part of South Africa in Gauteng. West Wits represents one of the largest uranium reserves in South Africa having estimated reserves of 173.9 million tonnes of ore grading 0.0059% uranium.
The Dominion mine is a large mine located in the northern part of South Africa in Dominionville. Dominion represents one of the largest uranium reserves in South Africa having estimated reserves of 113.1 million tonnes of ore grading 0.037% uranium.
The Denny Dalton mine is a large mine located in the northern part of South Africa in Gauteng. Denny Dalton represents one of the largest uranium reserves in South Africa having estimated reserves of 31.2 million tonnes of ore grading 0.03% uranium.
The Old Randfontein mine is a large mine located in the northern part of South Africa in Gauteng. Old Randfontein represents one of the largest uranium reserves in South Africa having estimated reserves of 247.2 million tonnes of ore grading 0.025% uranium.
The Ergo mine is a large mine located in the northern part of South Africa in Gauteng. Ergo is one of the largest uranium reserves in South Africa, having estimated reserves of 173.5 million tonnes of ore grading 0.0033% uranium.
The Beisa North mine is a large mine located in the northern part of South Africa in Gauteng. Beisa North represents one of the largest uranium reserves in South Africa having estimated reserves of 27.9 million tonnes of ore grading 0.066% uranium.
The Husab Mine, also known as the Husab Uranium Project, is a uranium mine near the town of Swakopmund in the Erongo region of western-central Namibia. The mine is located approximately 60 kilometres (37 mi) from Walvis Bay. The Husab Mine is expected to be the second largest uranium mine in the world after the McArthur River uranium mine in northern Saskatchewan, Canada and the largest open-pit mine on the African continent. Mine construction started in 2014. The Husab Mine started production towards the end of 2016 after completion of the sulfuric acid leaching plant.
