This is a best prospect industry sector for this country. Includes a market overview and trade data.
Last Published: 8/5/2019

The mineral industry of Eswatini is not a significant contributor to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP). The country’s nominal GDP was estimated to be about $3.8 billion in 2013. Exports of iron ore, which were valued at about $115 million, and exports of anthracite coal, which were valued at about $26 million, accounted for about 7.5% of total Swati exports, which were valued at about $1.9 billion in 2013. (IMF 2014, p. 32).

The Mining Department of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Energy is responsible for the administration of the mineral sector. The mineral sector is regulated by the provisions of the Diamond Act No. 3 of 2011, the Explosive Act No. 4 of 1961, the Mines and Minerals Act No. 4 of 2011, and the Mines and Quarries (Safety) Regulations.

Production
The main minerals produced in 2013 included aggregate (crushed stone), coal, and iron ore.

Iron Ore.  The venture of Salgaocar Eswatini (Proprietary) Ltd recovered iron ore from the Ngwenya Mine tailings dumps, which were located north of Ngwenya. The Ngwenya open pit mine most recently operated from 1964 until 1977. The iron ore, which contained about 44% to 50% iron, was trucked to Mpaka, transferred to rail cars, and subsequently deposited at the docks at Maputo, Mozambique, for shipment to China. In 2013, Salgaocar was building a beneficiation plant to upgrade the Ngwenya iron ore to between 58% and 61% iron content

Anthracite coal from the Maloma Mine was shipped to South Africa by Maloma Colliery Ltd.

Crush Stone is quarried and crushed at various sites for use in domestic construction projects.

Diamond.  Continued delays by Roux Consolidated Investment (Proprietary) Ltd. on the expected redevelopment of the Dvokolwako diamond mine, which was located about 50 kilometers northeast of Mbabane, resulted in the GKoE canceling Roux Consolidated’s mining license in November 2012. The 20-year mining license had been issued in 2008. In 2013, the GKoE received five bids from other companies interested in reopening the Dvokolwako Mine. The mine remains non-operational.

Leading Sub-Sectors

  • Materials extraction and handling technology

  • Mining processing

  • Drilling rigs

  • Communications systems

  • GIS mapping

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