Sishen mine

Sishen mine
Location
Location Kathu
Northern Cape
Country South Africa
Production
Products Iron ore
History
Opened 1953

The Sishen mine is a large iron mine located in central South Africa in Kathu, Northern Cape. Sishen represents one of the largest iron ore reserves in South Africa and in the world having estimated reserves of 2.43 billion tonnes of ore grading 58.6% iron metal.[1][2]

The Sishen mine has a geological structure producing a high-grade hematite ore, similar to those at Beeshoek. There has been investigation into a region known as the Sishen South exploration project which is 65 km south of Sishen mine.[3]

The Sishen mine was opened in 1947, and produced 30.9 million tonnes of iron ore in 2013.[4] In 2015, the mine produced far less and quarter on quarter results in 2016 show a decline in output.[5] In 2016, Kumba Iron Ore began the process of cutting nearly 4000 jobs in an attempt to restructure the Sishen mine and ensure profitability.[6]

The Sishen–Saldanha railway line that moves ore from the mines to international markets at the port of Saldanda is notable for the length of the 3,780 meter long trains that carry the ore.

Mine Ownership

The Sishen mine is owned by Kumba Iron Ore, which has a 73% interest in the Sishen Iron Ore Company Proprietary Limited (SIOC).[7] Anglo American plc has a 64.3% stake in Kumba Iron Ore.

Other stakeolders in the Sishen Iron Ore Company include Exxaro Resources Limited and ArcelorMittal SA (Amsa).

In 2009, Sishen Iron Ore, applied to take over the remaining 21% of Sishen Mine from ArcelorMittal SA (Amsa) who failed to convert their mining rights before 30 April 2009.[8] The South African Ministry of Mineral Resources instead granted the rights to ICT, a hitherto unknown mining company with alleged political ties to the government.[9][10] In 2011, this award was overturned by the courts but in 2013, the overturned judgement was taken to the constitutional court.[11] The final ruling was in favour of Kumba Iron Ore.[12]

References

  1. ↑ "Sishen Mine, Northern Cape, South Africa". mining-technology.com. 2012. Retrieved 2013-06-10.
  2. ↑ "Kumba's mineral resources including ore reserves". kumba.co.za. 2012. Retrieved 14 June 2013.
  3. ↑ Carney, M. D.; Mienie, P. J. (2003-04-01). "A geological comparison of the Sishen and Sishen South (Welgevonden) iron ore deposits, Northern Cape Province, South Africa". Applied Earth Science. 112 (1): 81–88. doi:10.1179/0371745032501171. ISSN 0371-7453.
  4. ↑ "Iron ore: seeking a second Sishen". Financial Mail. Retrieved 2016-07-21.
  5. ↑ Creamer, Martin. "Kumba Iron Ore sales down". Retrieved 2016-07-21.
  6. ↑ "Kumba Iron Ore to cut 3,933 jobs in South Africa's Sishen mine restructuring process". Mining Technology. Retrieved 2016-07-21.
  7. ↑ "Operations". www.angloamericankumba.com. Retrieved 2016-07-21.
  8. ↑ "Mining rights: Sishen wins battle for control". Financial Mail. Retrieved 2016-07-21.
  9. ↑ England, Andrew; MacNamara, William (2011-12-15). "South African judge overrules ICT rights award". Financial Times. ISSN 0307-1766. Retrieved 2016-07-21.
  10. ↑ Faull, Lionel. "Sishen rivals braced for verdict". Retrieved 2016-07-21.
  11. ↑ Andre Janse van Vuuren. "Kumba Dispute on Sishen Ownership Returns to S. Africa Court". Bloomberg.com. Retrieved 2016-07-21.
  12. ↑ Steyn, Lisa. "End of Sishen saga cast in iron". Retrieved 2016-07-21.


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