The CSIR has released three technical reports on the potential and resource risk for developing a circular economy in South Africa’s mining, agriculture and manufacturing sectors. As part of the mining study, the CSIR identified South Africa's strategic and critical minerals that remain economically viable. Eighteen minerals were identified as critical/strategic in South Africa due to their economic importance and supply risk.

Eighteen minerals were identified as critical or strategic in South Africa due to their economic importance and supply risk, including aggregate, bauxite, chromite, cobalt, copper, gold, graphite, iron, limestone, lithium, manganese, nickel, phosphorous, PGMs, rare earth elements (REEs), silver, titanium and vanadium. The study adapts the use of the terms "critical" and "strategic" minerals from a South African perspective, linking resources to emerging technologies. To identify strategic opportunities and circular economy needs, the study also reviewed the economic viability of available resources through the depletion period of key commodities. Iron ore, lead and manganese are highlighted as commodities with the highest depletion risk of <20 years, within the energy transition period to 2050.

Iron ore and manganese are both predominantly exported, key ingredients in the ferroalloy and steel industry dominated by China. While steel demand in China is poised to slow its growth, both metals are key components in Li-ion battery cathode formulations.  South Africa is one of the key manganese metal producers outside of China, through Manganese Metal Company (MMC). 

The study identifies plentiful reserves of greater than 100 years for coal, copper, PGMs, vanadium, chromium, fluorspar, nickel, titanium, uranium and others. Of these, PGMs carry the largest export market value weight by far, followed by coal.