South African President Cyril Ramaphosa Officially Opens Ivanhoe’s Platreef Mine

Johannesburg, November 21, 2025 — President Cyril Ramaphosa has inaugurated Ivanhoe Mines’ Platreef project in Limpopo Province, marking the official start of production at what is set to become Africa’s largest precious metals mine. The ceremony, held on November 18 ahead of the G20 Summit in Johannesburg, was attended by national and provincial leaders, including former President Kgalema Motlanthe and Limpopo Premier Dr. Phophi Ramathuba, alongside Ivanhoe Mines executives, B-BBEE partners, and representatives of the Japanese consortium backing the project.

The President unveiled a commemorative plaque and cut the ribbon at the Phase 1 concentrator before pressing the button to begin operations. More than 2,000 people attended the event, including Platreef’s workforce, 70 percent of whom are drawn from local communities and nearly 30 percent of whom are women. Ramaphosa hailed the mine as a “giant step” for Mokopane and South Africa, emphasizing its historic community ownership model, with local trusts holding 26 percent equity and 150,000 disadvantaged residents as shareholders.

Ivanhoe Mines founder Robert Friedland described Platreef as a multi-generational project, noting that Phase 1 is only the beginning. He highlighted plans for Africa’s largest mining shaft, due to start in two years, and praised the vision of Ramaphosa in supporting the project from its early stages. Friedland also acknowledged the Japanese consortium’s 10 percent stake and stressed the mine’s inclusive ownership and employment structure.

The Platreef Mine began hot commissioning of its concentrator on October 29, 2025, with the first concentrate produced during the opening ceremony. Underground development has advanced steadily, with over 21,000 tonnes of ore blasted and more than 15,000 tonnes hoisted to surface. Shaft #3, which will quadruple hoisting capacity to 5 Mt/y, is on track for commissioning in March 2026, with full-scale production mining expected soon after.

Recruitment continues as Phase 1 ramps up, with Ivanplats’ workforce now exceeding 2,200 employees and contractors. Phase 2 development is already underway, with DRA Global appointed as EPCM contractor for the 3.3 Mt/y concentrator expansion scheduled for completion in late 2027. Shaft #2 expansion and long-term plans for Phase 3, targeting 10.7 Mt/y capacity, reinforce Platreef’s role as a cornerstone of South Africa’s mining future.

Complementing the mine’s development, the Masodi Wastewater Treatment Works in Mokopane was officially opened on November 11, 2025. Built through a public-private partnership between Ivanplats and the Mogalakwena Local Municipality, the facility recycles municipal wastewater for industrial use, ensuring sustainable water supply for Platreef’s operations in the water-scarce region while improving sanitation and public health.

President Ramaphosa concluded by declaring Platreef a new chapter in South African mining: “This is the first mine opening with full community involvement—not only as workers but as equity owners. It is breaking new ground and setting the standard for how mining should be done in our country.”