Impala Rustenburg invested just over R40 million to expand the facilities areas at its 16 Shaft operation. This is to accommodate the Company's growth over the past few years, which has seen an additional 2 000 people employed by the platinum group metals producer.

The expansion includes modern offices, a change house and lamp room facilities, which will contribute to improving 16 Shaft’s morale, culture, efficiency and productivity.

The project was completed in partnership with a women-owned mine-community SMME from Kanana, Mmakgoge Group. The tender selection criteria required the successful company to be a local, women-owned business, and with significant industry experience. Local sub-contractors from mine-host communities were also employed for the project, further benefitting Impala Rustenburg’s communities. The project involved at least 110 employees on site, and the ad hoc use of local sub-contractors exclusively from local communities.

Mark Munroe, Chief Executive at Impala Rustenburg, expressed his pride in sharing the positive impact of the expansion, saying: "We are excited to announce the opening of our new facilities at 16 Shaft. This investment in our operations improves our efficiency and created opportunities for the communities around us. We remain committed to providing safe, sustainable and value-adding mining practices while also investing in the local business community to ultimately create a better future for all our stakeholders."

Kgomotso Motuku, Director at Mmakgoge Group, expressed her delight in the project, saying: "We were thrilled to be a part of this project with Impala Rustenburg. The opportunity allowed us to showcase our skills, capacity and quality of work. It is also positive that Impala is invested in providing opportunities that allow for gender diversity and women empowerment, and I commend the company for that."

Speaking at the launch event on 1 March, Executive Mayor Cllr Sheila Mabale-Huma said, “There are many lessons to be learnt from Impala. They have taught me that you can’t expect high levels of productivity if you don’t take care of your workers. This new facility is testament to Impala’s focus on ensuring that workers are happy. I am impressed by Impala’s wall of fame, which motivates employees to come to work, work hard and do well. I am equally impressed with Impala’s emphasis on ensuring that local communities benefit from procurement and tenders and that a woman in a construction business from a local community was awarded the opportunity to undertake this project.”

Cllr Mabale-Huma continued, saying, “We always fight with the mines when our local communities are not afforded an opportunity in this sector, however it is important to also give credit where it’s due, hence as councillors we must inform and update our communities about the achievements received from the mining sector as well. Rustenburg is the economic hub of the North West province because of the mines. We all need to work together as the community of Rustenburg – understanding that we all belong to Rustenburg and we should strive for the best, just as Impala is.”

Impala Rustenburg's investment in the new 16 Shaft facilities underscores its commitment to responsible mining practices and supporting local communities. In the face of large-scale unemployment in Rustenburg and throughout South Africa, Impala Rustenburg’s continued  growth is a positive development. The Company is committed to building a sustainable future for the mining industry in South Africa, and ensuring continued investment in its local business community.