[MEDIA ADVISORY] MINISTER MANTASHE TO VISIT STEENKAMPSKRAAL MONAZITE MINE | MATZIKAMA LOCAL MUNICIPALITY, WESTERN CAPE | 2 OCTOBER 2026
256
The Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources, Mr Gwede Mantashe, visits Steenkampskraal Monazite Mine (SMM) in the Matzikama Local Municipality, Western Cape, on Friday, 2 October 2026. The visit forms part of government’s work to develop South Africa’s critical mineral resources, expand local beneficiation and strengthen mineral value chains that support industrialisation, investment, skills development and job creation.
Media Invitation
28 September 2026
MINISTER MANTASHE TO VISIT STEENKAMPSKRAAL MONAZITE MINE
The Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources, Mr Gwede Mantashe, visits Steenkampskraal Monazite Mine (SMM) in the Matzikama Local Municipality, Western Cape, on Friday, 2 October 2026. The visit forms part of government’s work to develop South Africa’s critical mineral resources, expand local beneficiation and strengthen mineral value chains that support industrialisation, investment, skills development and job creation.
Steenkampskraal is one of the world’s highest-grade rare earth deposits and has strategic importance for the development of South Africa’s rare earth and critical minerals sector. The project also presents an opportunity to advance local processing and beneficiation, enabling South Africa to retain more value from its mineral resources. “South Africa must build robust beneficiation and manufacturing capabilities so that we add value to our minerals closer to the point of production. Our mineral wealth must support industrialisation, create jobs and contribute to sustainable economic development,” said Minister Mantashe.
The development of critical minerals is an important part of government’s efforts to strengthen domestic industrial capacity and position South Africa to participate meaningfully in emerging global mineral value chains. The visit also provides an opportunity to assess progress at the project and engage on the development of local rare earth processing and beneficiation capabilities, while ensuring compliance with South Africa’s regulatory and environmental requirements. The safe management of naturally occurring radioactive materials remains an important consideration in the development of the Steenkampskraal resource.
Members of the media are invited to attend and cover the visit as follows:
Date: Friday, 02 October 2026
Time: 09h00
Venue: Steenkampskraal Monazite Mine, Matzikama Local Municipality, Western Cape.
Kindly rsvp by 01 October 2026 to:
Johannes Mokobane – johannes.mokobane@dmpr.gov.za / mediadesk@dmpr.gov.za; 082 766 3674 or Charles Smith charles@csa.co.za / 084 4427772
For media enquiries: Ms Lerato Ntsoko – lerato.ntsoko@dmpr.gov.za / 082 459 2788
Ms Yolanda Mhlathi - yolanda.mhlathi@dmpr.gov.za / 067 258 1122