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KaeDant Inc. South African Mineral Resources 

 South Africa is particularly rich in mineral resources and is one of the leading raw material exporters in the world. The main mineral raw materials are gold, diamonds, platinum, chromium, vanadium, maganese, uranium, iron ore and coal. These goods make up about 60% of the entire export. With platinum and maganese, vandium, chromium, South Africa is number one globally, as far as mineral resources as well as the actual mining and export volumes are concerned. Gold mining still holds a special position. 40% of the worlds gold reserves are still to be found in the Witwatersrand area. But the gold-bearing stone has to be with considerable technical expenditure from great depths( down to about 4,000 meters). To produce one fine ounce of gold, on average about 3 tons of ore, 5,000 liters of water and 600 kilowatts hours of electricity are required.

Over the last few years, the price has dropped continuously. The main reason is the reduced demand of gold on the world market, because fewer currencies are being backed up by gold reserves. The gold mines in South Africa suffered a heavy crisis temporarily, and in 1995 more than 100,000 workers were laid off. The indusrty has been saved from ruin by down-sizing, establishing co-oraperatives and the weakening currency, although many mines have reached their limit of profitability and at times even work below it.

Major companies are increasingly moving their primary listings to New York and London as part of globalisation which takes many forms, from the direct acquisition of mining companies to partnerships with smaller exploration companies.

LINKS [] [] [] []  " Mining and Minerals in South Africa." SouthAfrica.Info. May 2008. Brand South Africa.Web. 3 May 2010<[]>.  " Mining In South Africa." SouthAfrica-Travel.net. N.P.Web. 3 May 2010.

" Atlant Art Mining Co.Ltd." Alibaba. com. 1999-2010. Web. 3 May 2010< [] >.  Ruter, Thomas. "Reuters Breakingviews." Reuters. 2010.Web.3 May 2010< []

"Iron Ore." Trans Exportors. 2005. Web. 3 May 2010 < [] >.