The Steenkampskraal mine in the Western Cape has one of the world’s highest-grade deposits of rare-earth elements, which has remained unexploited since it was shut down in 1963.
Rare earths have become a critical resource used in the manufacturing of electric vehicles, wind turbines, headphones, microphones, and advanced electronics, such as smartphones.
Steenkampskraal had primarily been a thorium mine, supplying the element as a nuclear fuel to the British government. As the world switched to uranium, which was…
Agriculture: Agriculture plays a key role in the economy, with major exports
including fruits, wine, and maize.
Glyph
Fun South African Fact: There are eight incredible world heritage sites in South Africa.
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Fun South African Fact: The first successful heart transplant was in a Cape Town hospital