Twelve years after applying for a mining right, Sepfluor opened the R1.7-billion Nokeng Fluorspar mine and concentrator plant, which will ramp up to full commercial-scale production by the end of August. At an average run-of-mine rate of 630 000 t/y, the mine will produce 180 000 t/y of acid grade fluorspar and 30 000 t/y of metallurgical grade fluorspar. One of only two operating fluorspar mines in South Africa, the mine enters production at a time when fluorspar prices are trending upward, with a global supply deficit emerging owing to mine closures in Namibia and Kenya, as well as tighter environmental regulations impacting on China’s production. The picture shows a conveyor carrying ore from the primary crusher to the secondary crusher.