Number of people employed by gold mining in South Africa 2011-2023

In 2023, around 93,600 people were employed by South Africa's gold mining industry. In total, these employees earned some 34.3 billion South Africa rand (about 1.9 billion U.S. dollars) that year. Compared to 2011, South African gold mining employment has decreased by over 51,200 people. The industry has been hindered by rising costs, mainly concerning electricity, underground mining, and salaries and wages. 

The South African gold mining industry faces challenges

South Africa’s gold mining sector has endured numerous challenges, such as the depletion of minerals and financial losses. Gold production has generally followed a constant declining trend, with irregular electricity supply through load-shedding limiting mining activities. Additionally, mining employees are some of the best paid among those working in the industrial sector in the country. However, they also contribute the most to the mining sector’s operational expenditure, at 33 percent.

Overview of the South African mining industry

South African mining companies dominate the global mining industry. In 2023, the country was the leading producer of platinum worldwide, with an output of 120 metric tons. At the same time, South Africa accounted for around 23 percent of the global export trade of platinum. The overall mining industry is an important part of the South African economy. As of 2023, the industry contributed around 202.1 billion South African rand to the country's GDP and employed a total of 477,000 people.