Steenkampskraal Monazite Mine (SMM) has announced the National Nuclear Regulator‘s (NNR) acceptance of the Authorisation Change Request: Prospective Worker Safety Assessment for Design and Production for Surface Operations at the SMM’s operations.
“The importance of this NNR acceptance cannot be overstated. It is a pivotal achievement that validates SMM's safety protocols, accelerates its path to production, and reinforces its role as a key player in the global rare earth supply chain, especially amid growing demand for these critical rare earth minerals. It also positions SMM as a leader in responsible rare earth mining in South Africa, enhancing its credibility with investors and partners,” said Enock Mathebula, Chairman of SMM.
“This critical milestone authorises SMM to formally engage its turn-key processing and mining contractors to proceed with the design, procurement and manufacturing phases of the project. The approval reflects the company’s continued commitment to ensuring the highest standards of worker safety and operational readiness as the mine moves closer to active production.
“This authorisation represents a pivotal step in our journey to operational readiness,” Mathebula added. “It enables us to transition from planning to physical implementation, while maintaining our unwavering focus on safety, sustainability and strategic execution.”
"Since the decision to bring the mine out of care and maintenance, and dormancy status during early 2024, SMM has been involved in a concerted drive to remain fully compliant on all legislative levels in both the mining and radiation management sectors, and to this end numerous Authorisation Change Requests have been submitted and accepted by the NNR," said Graham Soden, CEO of SMM.
"The authorisations have allowed the mine to continue with the planning and implementation of numerous critical processes in order to bring the SMM operations back to full production status. This has also sparked keen interest from investors and off takers globally who have been monitoring the progress of the project," added Soden.
“The approval underscores SMM’s commitment to operational excellence, regulatory compliance and worker safety. It marks another major milestone in the company's strategic roadmap to re-establish the Steenkampskraal Mine as a world-class producer of rare earth elements.
“With one of the highest-grade rare earth element deposits globally, the Steenkampskraal Mine is positioned to play a vital role in the global supply chain for critical materials used in renewable energy, electric vehicles and high-tech manufacturing. SMM remains committed to engaging with all stakeholders transparently as the project advances,” Soden concluded.
