Thabazimbi mine has been operating since 1931 and produces primarily high-grade haematite ore (more than 62% iron (Fe) content). It is situated approximately 250km north of Johannesburg in the Limpopo Province, South Africa. Current mining activities take place in three pits, using conventional opencast methods (including blasting, drilling, loading and hauling). Ore is processed through a single processing facility.
Post-2016 Kumba’s Project Phoenix will come onstream at Thabazimbi as a new commercial mine to replace production from the current mine. Kumba launched Project Phoenix, which is currently in feasibility study phase, to implement the best way to extract and beneficiate theproject’s ore resources. Ultimately, the company believes, this can result in a new commercial operation with a life of mine of more than 20 years, by producing 3,4Mtpa.
Thabazimbi mine’s product is particularly low in contaminants and is currently sold exclusively to ArcelorMittal South Africa. Total iron ore production was 0,9Mt for 2011, in line with the progression towards the end of life of mine and reduced off-take from ArcelorMittal.
Thabazimbi mine at a glance
Thabazimbi mine’s iron ore is particularly low in contaminants, making it valuable on the steel value chain.
Extensive rehabilitation projects to restore the environment once mining has been completed have been under way since the 1990s.
Number of staff: 815 employees and 889 contractors.
Total production in 2011: 0,9Mt.
Total investment in CSI projects in 2011: R9,2m.
Safety record: fatality-free for eight years, until 1 fatality in 2010. There were 0 fatalities in 2011.
Contact details
Physical address
11 Jourdan Street
Thabazimbi
0380
