South African mining company Kropz, backed by billionaire Patrice Motsepe, will halt phosphate rock production at its Elandsfontein mine, marking a setback for an investment reportedly totalling R2.6 billion. A contractor involved in the project has warned that as many as 238 jobs could be cut as a result of the stoppage. The development highlights mounting difficulties at the phosphate operation, according to Moneyweb.

According to StatsSA’s Q1 2026 Quarterly Employment Statistics survey, South Africa experienced a decrease of 80,000 jobs over a three-month period. This data highlights the ongoing challenges in the country's employment sector.

According to The Citizen Business, South Africa has lost 80,000 formal sector jobs over a three-month period, which may be attributed to companies retrenching and shutting down. This significant decline in employment raises concerns about the economic stability in the region.

Zimbabwe has suspended exports of antimony and tungsten as part of a push to encourage domestic processing of its mineral resources, according to Moneyweb. Shipments of ores and concentrates of the two minerals have also been halted under the measure. The move aligns with efforts to ensure minerals are processed locally rather than exported in raw form, though further details on the duration or scope of the suspension were not provided in the report.

Mncane Mthunzi has taken on a leading role representing South Africa's automotive industry at a difficult time for the sector. According to TechCentral, the country's vehicle exports to the United States have collapsed by 74%, while the transition to new energy vehicles is stalling. Mthunzi now carries the fight to defend and reposition the industry as it faces mounting pressure from shifting global trade conditions and the uncertain pace of electrification in the domestic market.

An expo has heard that skills shortages threaten the country's ability to benefit from a minerals boom, according to SABC Business. Speakers warned that the country needs to urgently address the skills gap in order to capitalise on opportunities in the mining sector.