WeeklySA_AdminESSENTIAL: Government and industry are ramping up training and research initiatives as South Africa positions itself for major investment in critical minerals and battery value chains…
By Own Correspondent
South Africa is stepping up efforts to prepare its workforce for a projected boom in critical minerals as the government and industry position the country to attract large-scale investment in the sector.
Skills development has emerged as a central pillar of South Africa’s mining growth strategy, with plans to unlock an estimated R40 trillion in iron ore reserves and attract R2 trillion in mining investment over the next five years.
Policymakers believe a well-trained workforce will be key to improving productivity, attracting investors and ensuring that the benefits of mineral wealth translate into broader economic growth.
The mining sector already supports nearly 900 000 jobs and is expected to play a major role in government efforts to create employment opportunities for 1.8 million young people by 2030.
In his State of the Nation Address last week, President Cyril Ramaphosa highlighted the importance of public employment programmes such as the Presidential Employment Stimulus and Community Work Programme in building skills and expanding job opportunities.
“For too many people, life remains hard. Jobs are scarce and opportunity is out of reach,” Ramaphosa said.
Workforce development efforts received a boost through a new partnership between the European Union, the Energy and Water Sector Education and Training Authority and the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research. The initiative includes €2 million in funding to strengthen research capacity and workforce readiness across the critical minerals and battery value chain.
The programme aims to expand Technical and Vocational Education and Training capacity, support specialised training in mineral processing and battery technologies, and create work-integrated learning opportunities for graduates.
The project forms part of the European Union’s Clean Trade and Investment Partnership, under which €15.5 billion has been committed to support South Africa’s critical minerals sector.
Industry investment
Private sector investment is also playing a growing role in developing mining skills.
Mining company Anglo American recently announced plans to establish a Global Institute of Critical Minerals Research linking universities and research institutions in South Africa and abroad.
The initiative is intended to strengthen technical expertise and support innovation across the mining value chain.
South Africa remains a leading global producer of platinum group metals, manganese and chrome and is seeking to expand production of minerals essential for renewable energy and battery technologies.
African Mining Week
Workforce readiness and investment opportunities will be key themes at African Mining Week 2026, scheduled to take place in Cape Town from October 14 to 16.
The conference will bring together policymakers, mining companies and investors to assess Africa’s readiness to meet rapidly growing global demand for critical minerals, which is expected to quadruple by 2040.
Analysts say the success of South Africa’s critical minerals strategy will depend not only on investment and infrastructure, but on the country’s ability to develop the skilled workforce needed to sustain long-term growth.
