Welcome to NCMIC

A Metals Industrial Cluster is being established in Kuruman as part of the drive for industrial development in the Northern Cape and to promote manufacturing. The Cluster will be anchored around steel manufacturing however, other industrial and metals related businesses are welcome to join. Thus, an array of metals manufacturing and related businesses will be integrated into the Cluster.

The Cluster will consist of SMMEs with an increasing number of larger enterprises over time. Synergies created amongst the Cluster participants will ultimately, benefit the surrounding communities through increased job opportunities and increased economic activity.

Size and Location

The Cluster will occupy an area of 47 hectares (equivalent to about 60 football pitches). The site for the Cluster falls under the jurisdiction of the Ga-Segonyana Local Municipality and within the greater John Taolo Gaetsewe District Municipality in the Northern Cape Province. The Cluster is located along N14, approximately south east of Kuruman, near the Country Club turn off.

Background

The Northern Cape has historically experienced a high volume of mining activity without the corresponding rise in manufacturing and attendant long term economic and social benefits. Unemployment is prevalent in the province and there is a need to create opportunities beyond the economically viable life of the mines and the agricultural sector.

Mineral Beneficiation Geographical

An increased focus on the localised beneficiation of minerals is largely attributed to the rise in resource nationalism, which is underpinned by higher commodity prices. Resource nationalism refers to government efforts to assert greater control over natural resources located on their territory.

In 2010, South Africa as a resource economy was estimated to possess approximately US$2.5 trillion in non-energy in-situ mineral wealth, making it one of the wealthiest mining jurisdictions in the world. Despite this, South Africa continues to export most of its minerals as ores or semi-processed minerals rather than high value intermediate to finished products. Mineral Beneficiation Cluster Feasibility Study and Business Plan

South Africa has been a resource economy for more than a century. An independent evaluation of South Africa‘s non-energy in situ mineral wealth is estimated at US$2.5 trillion (Citibank report, May 2010), making the country the wealthiest mining jurisdiction. However, a considerable amount of South Africa’s mineral resources is exported as raw ores or only partially processed. Although South Africa has steadily improved its ratio of beneficiated to primary products exported since the 1970s, these ratios are still well below the potential suggested by the quality and quantity of its mineral resources.

The Government ‘s industrialisation policy calls for a paradigm shift in mineral development, strategic investment in assets to maximize long term growth beneficiation projects, enhance value of exports, increase sources for consumption of local content, and create opportunities for sustainable jobs. Minerals are a vital input to an industrialization programme, which is intended to accelerate manufacturing in South Africa (for local consumption and export). Competitive access to minerals for local beneficiation is one of the key success factors for the country‘s industrialisation initiative.

The Northern Cape

The Northern Cape accounts for 30.5% of South Africa‘s land mass, contributing 2% to the country‘s GDP, with about 2.2% of the population. The capital city is Kimberley, which is situated in the east of the Province. Mining and agriculture are dominant sectors in the province, with tourism coming in third.

In the 2012 State of the Nation Address the President alluded to government investment in a number of developments in the Northern Cape – including the work in support of the Square Kilometer Array bid and the investment in rail infrastructure along the Silvana corridor to enhance exports of iron ore.