The Story of
Bosveld mines
Producing gold since 1898
How it started
Quinton George and Richard Tait were introduced to Bosveld Mines in 2017 by a client who needed advice on his struggling investment in the company. On visiting the neglected gold mine for the first time they were captivated by the beauty of its location and the potential it held. The mine site faces the magnificent Ithala Nature Reserve across the Pongola River in the rugged, mountainous thornveld of Northern KZN, close to Swaziland’s border. Despite a series of owners who had inadequately capitalized the operation, they recognized its enormous potential as a shallow, high-grade mine similar to many in Zimbabwe: this was a sleeping elephant.
Opportunity Knocks
Initially, they were simply brokering a sale which would bring the mine out of business rescue, but shortly before the deal was due to finalise, the investor pulled out. Serendipity had intervened and they decided to take it on themselves through GnT Mining. The challenge of the project appealed to them both enormously: Quinton reached out to a select group of investors to raise the necessary capital, while Richard developed the plan to bring the mine back into production with the skeleton crew available.
Where are we now?
Two years on from first production, and with a passionate team led by a highly experienced Mine Manager, Pierre Human, Bosveld Mines is going from strength to strength. It’s now providing jobs for 170 permanent employees, and over 230 positions for contractors and cooperatives, who were formally illegal artisanal miners. The company also supports Ithala Nature Reserve through the African Conservation Trust, and is working with the organization to improve food security for the local community. Richard and Quinton are delighted with progress thus far.
GnT Mining is committed to supporting genuine empowerment initiatives in the local community, currently empowering a local women’s collective to produce vamping bags for the mine, as well as facilitating small-scale farming. The company is exploring various ideas around extending its involvement in Ithala Nature Reserve down the line and creating more employment in the area, with a focus on ecotourism and education.