South Africa’s Rare Earth breakthrough a strategic shift up the value chain

Critical minerals success strengthens industrial future.

By Leon Louw founder of WhyAfrica and Endorphin Expeditions.

South Africa has cemented its place in the global Rare Earth Element (REE) industry after the successful production of high-purity Mixed Rare Earth products through a partnership between Steenkampskraal Monazite Mine (SMM) and Mintek.

Mintek is South Africa’s national mineral research organisation, specialising in mineral processing, extractive metallurgy, and related technologies.

The achievement comes at a time when demand for REEs is surging worldwide. REEs are essential components in electric vehicles, wind turbines, advanced electronics, defence technologies, medical equipment and the digital infrastructure driving the global energy and technology transitions.

Foundation for commercial production

According to SMM, the successful production of mixed rare earth products at Mintek’s laboratories lays the foundation for commercial production in South Africa before the end of 2026. Longer-term plans include rare earth separation, thorium beneficiation and medical isotope production.

“This is not only a victory for Steenkampskraal and Mintek, but a victory for South Africa,” says SMM Executive Chairman Dr Enock Mathebula.

The milestone demonstrates the country’s growing ability to combine world-class mineral resources with local scientific expertise. South Africa is home to the Steenkampskraal deposit in the Western Cape, regarded as the world’s highest-grade rare earth element and thorium deposit, but until now has had limited domestic processing capability.

South Africa can attract investment

For South Africa, the development could help unlock new opportunities in mining, advanced manufacturing, research and skills development. By building beneficiation capacity, the country can capture more value from its mineral resources, attract investment and support the growth of downstream industries linked to clean energy and high-technology manufacturing.

According to Mintek CEO Dr Molefi Motuku the achievement is a powerful demonstration of what South Africa can achieve when its research institutions and industry partners unite around a shared vision of value addition and local beneficiation.

Catalyst for a REE industry

With construction of a processing plant already underway and first shipments expected before the end of 2026, the project could serve as a catalyst for a significant REE industry in South Africa.

If successful, it may establish the country as a future African hub for critical minerals processing, research and industrial development in one of the world’s most strategically important sectors.

WhyAfrica visited SMM last year during the road trip

WhyAfrica visited SMM last year during the 2025 WhyAfrica Road Trip through Africa, when early work on the processing plant was already underway.

Image: WhyAfrica was on site at SMM last year during the 2025 WhyAfrica Road Trip through Africa. Image credit: Leon Louw for WhyAfrica.

Leon Louw provides independent consulting services to investors, businesses and organisations seeking a deeper understanding of Africa’s political, economic and natural resource landscape.

South Africa’s Rare Earth breakthrough a strategic shift up the value chain