Refurbished Gold Plant in Orkney to Create 4,000 Jobs

A newly refurbished gold processing plant in Orkney, North West, is set to create close to 4,000 jobs, marking a significant step forward in addressing unemployment and poverty in the region.

The China-African Precious Metals Company has invested over R200 million to revitalize the plant as part of its broader R2 billion investment in Orkney. The official opening ceremony on Monday was attended by Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources Gwede Mantashe, North West Premier Kagiso Lazarus Mokgosi, City of Matlosana Executive Mayor Councilor Fikile Mahlope, and former Acting Premier Nono Maloyi.

Premier Mokgosi hailed the project as a key outcome of the provincial government’s efforts to attract investments and improve socio-economic conditions.

“This means all our investment initiatives from the sixth to the seventh administration were not in vain. Moreover, our ongoing efforts to lure investments and address unemployment and poverty are yielding the desired results, particularly in economically depressed communities like this one,” said Mokgosi.

The City of Matlosana is set to receive more investments, with the much-anticipated gas-to-power project to be announced before the end of the year. On 28 November, the province will also host a delegation of business leaders from China’s Henan province, led by the Chinese Ambassador, to explore opportunities in mining, tourism, and agriculture — the province’s primary economic drivers.

The refurbished plant comes at a time when the North West province has recorded 69,000 new jobs in the third quarter of 2024. Premier Mokgosi said these figures reflect the success of ongoing efforts to uplift communities through strategic partnerships and investments.

“These developments serve as a glimmer of hope in our province’s mission to create sustainable socio-economic opportunities for its people,” he added.

The revitalization of the gold processing plant is a beacon of progress for Orkney, a town historically reliant on mining. As investment commitments continue to flow into the region, the City of Matlosana is poised to emerge as a hub of economic activity, offering hope and opportunities to its residents.

The project underscores the potential of targeted investments to drive economic growth, reduce unemployment, and foster long-term prosperity in the North West province.