Mining in South Africa started in the late 1870s when diamonds were discovered on the banks of the Orange River. The South African mining industry is largely dominated by a basket of minerals that are mined - iron ore, zinc/copper, chrome, diamonds, manganese, gold/uranium, platinum, coal and other minerals. 

The South African mining industry employs just over 450 000 people and contributes over R360 billion to the GDP. However, the pandemic has cause serious challenges to the industry, according to Minerals Council South Africa, in 2020 the Mining GDP fell by 4%, thanks essentially to vastly improved commodity prices, they also went on to say that actual production was down by 10-12%, not only due to the pandemic but also due to transport logistical shortcomings.