Steenkampskraal Monazite Mine Rare Earths Project

under construction

The Steenkampskraal Monazite Mine in the Western Cape, South Africa, is a $1.8 billion mining project focused on extracting high-purity rare earth elements. The mine was originally opened in 1952, placed on care and maintenance in 1963, and reactivated in 2024 after regulatory approvals. The project includes construction of a metallurgical processing plant funded by the Industrial Development Corporation, with commissioning scheduled for August 2026 and first shipments expected before the end of 2026. The mine aims to produce rare earth oxides used in electric vehicle motors, wind turbines, and defense systems, contributing to local beneficiation and global critical mineral supply chains.