South African expertise in mining is increasingly finding a world market. It is the second largest exporter of steam coal. South Africa's reserves of manganese, titanium and vanadium are by far the largest in the world. It ranks fifth in diamond production. South Africa's resource base is extensive and diverse.
Mining produces close to half of South Africa's exports.
This makes it easily the most internationally competitive sector of the economy. Close to half a million people work in mining and many more in downstream industries. For example, in the gold mines, the number of tons of ore milled per worker has grown from 200 to 290 per year in the last decade. Dramatic productivity increases have been recorded in all other mines as well. This has been achieved by major investments in training, in new technology and equipment and through research and development.