The Mtititi Fumani Gold Mine in Limpopo is set to be officially launched this month, with Vhembe District Municipality Executive Mayor Miyelani Chauke saying that the long-awaited mining project is expected to create about 3,000 jobs.
The planned launch comes as communities across the Vhembe region continue to face high levels of unemployment and limited economic opportunities, particularly for young people.
Chauke spoke about the mining project recently during his public engagement drive in Xikundu, Bevhula, Magona, Makhubele, and Mtititi villages about water supply issues.
He said the revival of the mine could provide much-needed relief to residents struggling to find employment while stimulating economic activity in surrounding communities.
The Fumani Gold Mine, located at Mtititi, has a long history of gold mining.
Historical records show that the mine operated from 1933 to 1961 before being reopened in 1977 and continuing operations until 1991.
“I’m repeating, we are going to open the mine and handover the mine to Mtititi. We are going to hand over the Mtititi Fumani Gold Mine this August. We are going to handover to the respected, his majesty chief Mtititi. There is no artisanal mining at Mtititi. The minerals will benefit communities and more than 2000 to 3000 people are going to be hired there. I’m very confident because I’m the coordinator there. The chief listens when we speak to him, maybe it’s because he is Mhlengwe (a Chauke) I don’t know,” Chauke praised the chief in one of his public engagements last week.
“If you see Musina developed, you see public halls in Musina. It’s because of mines like Venetia, not [the] government. Here in Mtititi Village there is no network connection. How can companies invest in a place where there is no business? Once the mine is operational, a network aerial will be installed. People are going to be permanently employed there” the mayor added.
Companies linked to the Fumani project
Available project documentation identifies Fumani Greenstone (Pty) Ltd as the company established to pursue the Fumani gold-mining opportunity. The project covered the Alten and Plange farms in the Collins Chabane Municipality area.
The same business plan listed the following shareholders or entities linked to the project:
• Fumani Greenstone (Pty) Ltd – the project company established to pursue the gold-mining opportunity.
• Corridor Mining Resources (SOC) Ltd – identified in the 2015 business plan as holding a 55% stake and described in that document as a subsidiary of the Limpopo Economic Development Agency.
• Mtititi host community – listed as holding 5%.
• Limpopo Resources – listed as holding 10%.
• Semaka Investments – listed as holding 10%.
• E van Rooyen – listed as holding 10%.
These ownership details come from a 2015 Fumani Gold Mine business plan. It’s not clear whether they reflect the current ownership structure in 2026.
The reopening of Fumani Gold Mine has featured in local government development plans for years.
The Collins Chabane Local Municipality’s integrated development planning documents have repeatedly identified the opening of the Fumani gold mine at Mtititi as a local economic-development priority.
For a region battling unemployment, the promised creation of at least 3,000 jobs could make the mine one of the most significant economic projects in the area.
However, questions remain over the final ownership, operating structure, investment value and timeline for full-scale production. These details are likely to come under greater scrutiny as the official launch approaches.
The August launch is therefore expected to provide an opportunity for the municipality and the companies involved to clarify who will operate the mine, how the project will be funded and how the promised jobs will be created.
