South Africa hopes to foster mutually beneficial cooperation with China, leveraging its natural resources to enhance industrial development and deepen economic ties, according to Tebogo Makube, deputy director-general of the Sectors Branch at South Africa's Department of Trade, Industry and Competition.
In an interview with China Global Television Network, Makube, who oversee several units including critical minerals, highlighted the country's strategic focus on strengthening partnerships with China, where efforts have been made in advancing zero-carbon smart mining with global applicability.
"Our strategy is the partnership with China. We want to learn from Chinese production methods. So, we are of the view that the partnership is the way forward. And we have the critical minerals to offer to the Chinese economy. I know that they are in need of those critical minerals, but we are saying let's partner in beneficiating those minerals in the country," he said.
South Africa is a major producer of iron ore, as well as platinum group metals (PGMs). PGMs are widely used in hydrogen, fuel cell and emissions reduction technologies -- areas where Chinese companies are rapidly expanding production.
South Africa seeks partnership with China to leverage critical minerals: official
