The world-class Tshipi manganese mine in South Africa has announced the achievement of Level 1 Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment status (B-BBEE), a clear demonstration of their progress and commitment to empowering local communities.
B-BBEE is a national policy framework designed to promote the inclusion and participation of previously disadvantaged South Africans in the economy. A strong commitment to B-BBEE in South Africa is reflected by meaningful progress in creating opportunities for the local communities surrounding industry operations. Since 2019, Tshipi has advanced its B-BBEE status from Level 8 to achieve the maximum Level 1 in 2025.
Tshipi has a history of outstanding ESG performance and is now one of the top performing B-BBEE operations in the Kalahari Manganese Field (KMF), joining only one other miner in the KMF to have attained Level 1.
Mpho Sadiki, Head of Corporate Affairs and People from the Tshipi manganese mine said, "We are thrilled to achieve Level 1 B-BBEE status, a testament to our team's dedication and commitment to transforming our business and empowering local communities. This milestone underscores our resolve to ensure meaningful participation of historically disadvantaged South Africans in our operations and the broader economy.”
The origins of B-BBEE
B-BBEE organisations are governed by the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Act 53 (B-B-BEE Act), a South African law which strongly aligns with ESG principles.
The B-BBEE scorecard provides a structured, consistent and comparable grading system through the assessment of specific areas. At a minimum, 25% of a company is required to be owned by historically disadvantaged individuals, with a diverse management team representing the communities in which it operates. Engaging with local suppliers and contractors is an essential part of the process, as well as investing in the development of employee skills and competencies. It also requires that any contribution to communities should be in line with local government priorities.
Strong B-BBEE performance is both a compliance requirement and a driver of material, social and economic impact in communities.
| B-BBEE Scorecard Element |
Description |
Available Points |
Ownership
|
A minimum 25% owned by historically disadvantaged individuals |
25 |
| Management and Control |
A diverse management team that is representative of the communities in which they operate |
19 |
| Skills Development |
Investment in the development of skills and competencies of employees and the community |
20 (+5 bonus points) |
| Enterprise Supplier Development |
Engagement of empowered suppliers and contractors including Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) |
46 |
| Socio-Economic Development |
Contribution to communities in line with local government priorities |
5 |
| Total Maximum Points |
|
120 |
Tshipi’s approach
Tshipi’s improvement in its B-BBEE rating has been driven by a significant uplift in the enterprise and supplier development pillar (ESD), the highest weighting in the B-BBEE scorecard. Through its ESD program, Tshipi actively builds the capacity of Historically Disadvantaged Persons (HDP)-owned businesses to meet tender requirements. It provides more opportunity to engage successfully in mining supply chains and strengthen economic participation within the JTG District Municipality in the Northern Cape, generating sustainable shared value.
Tshipi fosters economic resilience, job creation, and economic empowerment, reflected in Tshipi’s Employment Equity Plan (EE Plan), which includes the principle of “equal work, equal pay”. Tshipi also promotes diversity in the workforce, recognising it as a means to strengthen operational performance, innovation, and workplace culture.
Benefits of a high B-BBEE score
With a demonstrated history of improvement in B-BBEE, Tshipi delivers both social and economic outcomes for host communities and stakeholders. It has consistently exceeded the B-BBEE compliance target of 80% for procurement spend with B-BBEE compliant suppliers, reinforcing its role as a key enabler of local economic development and empowerment.
Tshipi’s ESD initiatives are designed to be circular, supporting the growth of local SMMEs, which in turn strengthens Tshipi’s supply chain and drives sustained economic participation. By engaging with black owned and black female owned businesses, Tshipi creates opportunities for these enterprises to supply goods and services to the mine, enabling them to grow and thrive.
Sustainable community development
Achieving Level 1 B-BBEE status clearly demonstrates that Tshipi’s approach to sustainable community development is creating a meaningful impact. The mine’s active participation in the Northern Cape's socioeconomic ecosystem is fundamental to their license to operate and reinforces their commitment to responsible corporate citizenship.
Read more about the Tshipi manganese mine.
