The Platinum Belt in South Africa.. A Treasure of the Earth That Fuels Conflicts and Hopes

SadaNews - Deep within the lands of South Africa lies a unique geological treasure known as the Platinum Belt, a rock formation that contains the world’s largest confirmed reserves of platinum group metals.

This belt, located within the Bushveld geological complex, is not just a source of mineral wealth, but is the heart of the South African economy and a stage for complex social and political conflicts that have left their mark on the country's modern history.

South Africa dominates the production of platinum group metals, accounting for over 70% of the global total, making it the leading player in a market valued in billions of dollars annually.

However, behind these impressive figures lie painful human stories and deep economic challenges, most notably the Marikana massacre in 2012, which claimed the lives of 34 mineworkers and continues to cast a shadow over the industry to this day.

Dominance of the Global Platinum Market

When the sun rises over the regions of Rustenburg and Marikana in the North West province, it illuminates one of the continent's most important economic centers.

Here, in the heart of the Platinum Belt, hundreds of mines and factories are engaged in the extraction and processing of some of the rarest and most valuable materials on Earth.

According to the latest data from the U.S. Geological Survey for 2024, South Africa produces about 120 metric tons of platinum annually, which equals 63.2% of the global production, significantly surpassing Russia, which produces only 19 metric tons (10% of global production).

The belt contains an estimated 95% of the world’s confirmed reserves of platinum group metals, in a unique geological area that stretches over more than 65,000 square kilometers.

The Marikana Massacre.. The Wound That Has Not Healed

On August 16, 2012, a small hill near the Marikana mine witnessed one of the bloodiest tragedies in the country’s recent history when police opened fire on hundreds of striking workers, resulting in the death of 34 mineworkers and injuries to dozens.

The events began on August 8 of the same year, when workers launched a strike demanding an increase in their monthly wages from 4,000 rand (about 400 dollars at the time) to 12,500 rand.

In an area that produces billions of dollars worth of platinum annually, these workers lived in shacks made of metal sheets without clean water, electricity, or basic sanitation facilities.

In 2016, Amnesty International documented the continued suffering of the victims' families in abject poverty, noting that many widows and orphans did not receive adequate compensation.

The Major Corporations and Their Challenges

Three major companies dominate the platinum industry in South Africa: Anglo American Platinum, Impala Platinum, and Sibanye Stillwater.

These companies collectively employ over 200,000 workers directly and support hundreds of thousands of indirect jobs.

In 2025, Anglo American Platinum faced a 17% drop in its production in the first quarter, reaching 696,300 ounces, compared to 834,000 ounces in the same period of the previous year, due to heavy rain and flooding.

The Green Hydrogen Revolution and the Future

Platinum plays a pivotal role in hydrogen fuel cells, making it an essential element in the transition to clean energy.

The International Energy Agency projects that the demand for platinum in this field will leap to over one million ounces annually by 2030, compared to 200,000 ounces currently.

Geopolitical Dimensions

The United States classified platinum as a "critical mineral for national security" in its critical minerals strategy for 2024, while China is investing billions of dollars in the South African sector, raising concerns in the West about its growing influence.

On August 28, 2025, the South African government signed an agreement with the European Union to develop an "integrated green hydrogen corridor" worth 8 billion euros to link platinum mines with European energy markets.

Source: Al Jazeera