President Ramaphosa Praises Ivanplats Platreef Mine as Model for Community Empowerment at Official Opening in Mokopane
Mokopane – President Cyril Ramaphosa has called on mining firms across South Africa to take a leaf out of Ivanplats’ book when it comes to uplifting local people and helping with basic services. He shared these thoughts while kicking off production at the new Platreef Mine in Mokopane, Limpopo, on Tuesday, 18 November 2025. This event marks a big win for the mining world, showing how companies can work hand-in-hand with communities right from the start.
The Platreef Mine, run by Ivanplats – a part of Ivanhoe Mines – stands out as a fresh example of how mining can change lives for the better. It is set to become one of the biggest sources of precious metals worldwide, pulling out platinum, palladium, rhodium, gold, nickel, and copper. With years of planning behind it, the mine promises jobs, skills training, and a share of the profits for those living nearby.
A Historic Start with Full Community Backing
In his speech, President Ramaphosa pointed out that Platreef is the first mine to launch with communities fully on board – not just as staff, but as real owners too. “Ivanplats is the first mine opening with the full involvement of community, not only as workers, but also as equity owners,” he said. He explained how the government has spent the last 30 years fixing old wrongs through rules on black economic empowerment. “The government has over the 30 years sought to redress the inequality of the past by passing laws that require black economic empowerment, in the past mining was about the companies and their money,” Ramaphosa added.
This setup means 20 percent of the mine’s broad-based black economic empowerment shares go to a trust that helps 20 nearby communities. Another three percent sits in a trust for workers who are not in management roles. About 85 percent of the people working at the mine come from the area around Mokopane, and the company makes a point of buying goods and services from local businesses. This has already created over a thousand jobs, with more on the way as the mine grows.
The president also thanked the local leaders and people for their patience during the long road to this day. He urged everyone – the company, communities, and government – to keep talking and sort out any leftover issues. “Where there are unresolved issues, where there are problems, it is vital that we all work together – the company, communities and the relevant authorities – towards a resolution,” he noted.
Reinvesting in South Africa: No Profits Pulled Out
Ivanplats Executive Chairman Robert Friedland echoed the president’s words, stressing how the company puts all its earnings back into the country. “Ivan Mine as a company has never taken one penny out of South Africa in the last 38 years, not one penny. All the revenue is reinvested in the building of giant mining has lifted thousand of local historic black people who will have equity owners,” Friedland said.
He went further in a company statement, saying the opening wraps up 37 years of tough work.
“Tomorrow’s opening ceremony at Platreef marks the culmination of 37 years of incredibly hard work,” he shared. Friedland also thanked President Ramaphosa for joining the event, especially as it falls near the president’s birthday. He promised ongoing teamwork with South Africans to tap into the nation’s riches for future generations.
This approach fits with Ivanhoe Mines’ bigger picture. The firm, started by Friedland, focuses on big projects in Southern Africa. For Platreef, they have poured in huge sums to build it into a top producer. No money has left the borders as dividends or payouts – everything stays to grow the operation and support locals.
Green Practices and Economic Boost for Limpopo
What sets Platreef apart is its focus on the environment and long-term care. The mine has a five-megawatt solar power plant that started running earlier this year, feeding clean energy to the site and even the national grid. This helps cut down on fossil fuels and fits South Africa’s push for green growth. Water is another big deal here, with the company fixing up local pipes and systems as part of its social plan. These steps tackle the country’s water woes and show how mining can be done without harming the land.
On the money side, Platreef is a game-changer. It ties into the government’s new plan for critical minerals, which are key for things like electric cars and clean energy tech. President Ramaphosa called mining a “sunrise industry” that keeps driving the nation’s progress. He shared fresh stats: mining output grew by 1.2 percent this year compared to last, and sales hit R614 billion from January to September 2025 – better than the last two years.
For Limpopo, this means more cash flowing in. The province, known for its farms and natural spots, now gets a mining lift. The mine’s first phase will handle 770,000 tonnes of ore a year, ramping up to over four million tonnes in phase two by 2027. By phase three in 2029, it could double that, making over a million ounces of precious metals plus heaps of nickel and copper each year. This could rank Platreef as one of the world’s top spots for these resources, all while keeping costs low.
Training and Jobs for the Future
Looking ahead, the mine is not just about digging – it is building skills too. The Ivanplats Centre for Excellence offers high-tech training to get workers ready for modern mining tools. Even as machines take over some tasks, the company promises to upskill people so no one gets left behind. President Ramaphosa praised this, saying it is key for the industry’s future.
He also tied the opening to bigger events, like South Africa hosting its first G20 summit soon. “In the week that we prepare to host the first G20 Leaders’ Summit on African soil, the opening of this mine stands as a proud testament to South Africa’s steady economic recovery,” he said.
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