Quick Links : The Mindat Manual The Rock H. Currier Digital Library Mindat Newsletter [Free Download]

Home Page About Mindat The Mindat Manual History of Mindat Copyright Status Who We Are Contact Us Advertise on Mindat

Donate to Mindat Corporate Sponsorship Sponsor a Page Sponsored Pages Mindat Advertisers Advertise on Mindat

Learning Center What is a mineral?The most common minerals on earth Information for Educators Mindat Articles The Elements The Rock H. Currier Digital Library Geologic Time Explore Fossils

Minerals by Properties Minerals by Chemistry Mineral Visual Explorer Advanced Locality Search Random Mineral Random Locality Search by minID Localities Near Me Search Articles Search Glossary More Search Options

The Mindat Manual Add a New Photo Rate Photos Locality Edit Report Coordinate Completion Report Add Glossary Item

Mining Companies Statistics Users Mineral Museums Clubs & Organizations Mineral Shows & Events The Mindat Directory Device Settings The Mineral Quiz Time Machine

Photo Search Photo Galleries Search by Color Photo Colour Explorer New Photos Today New Photos Yesterday Members' Photo Galleries Past Photo of the Day Gallery Photography

Impala Platinum mines, Rustenburg, Rustenburg Local Municipality, Bojanala Platinum District Municipality, North West, South Africa i
Regional Level Types
Impala Platinum mines Group of Mines
Rustenburg District (Former)
Rustenburg Local Municipality Municipality
Bojanala Platinum District Municipality District
North West Province
South Africa Country

Regional Level Types
Impala Platinum mines	Group of Mines
Rustenburg	District (Former)
Rustenburg Local Municipality	Municipality
Bojanala Platinum District Municipality	District
North West	Province
South Africa	Country

This page is currently not sponsored. Click here to sponsor this page.

Photos Maps Search Mineralogy

Standard

All Photos (4)Specimen Photos (1)Locality Photos (3)Photos by Color Gallery Photo Statistics Add Photo

Map Pages Nearest Localities

Mineral Search Similar Localities Nearest Localities Search Google

Predictive Mineralogy

View of the Rustenburg platinum mining area, in 1984.

Impala Platinum mines, Rustenburg, Rustenburg Local Municipality, Bojanala Platinum District Municipality, North West, South Africa

Location of shafts

Impala Platinum mines, Rustenburg, Rustenburg Local Municipality, Bojanala Platinum District Municipality, North West, South Africa

Impala Platinum mines headgear

Impala Platinum mines, Rustenburg, Rustenburg Local Municipality, Bojanala Platinum District Municipality, North West, South Africa

Plagioclase, etc.

Impala Platinum mines, Rustenburg, Rustenburg Local Municipality, Bojanala Platinum District Municipality, North West, South Africa

View of the Rustenburg platinum mining area, in 1984.

Impala Platinum mines, Rustenburg, Rustenburg Local Municipality, Bojanala Platinum District Municipality, North West, South Africa

Location of shafts

Impala Platinum mines, Rustenburg, Rustenburg Local Municipality, Bojanala Platinum District Municipality, North West, South Africa

Impala Platinum mines headgear

Impala Platinum mines, Rustenburg, Rustenburg Local Municipality, Bojanala Platinum District Municipality, North West, South Africa

Plagioclase, etc.

Impala Platinum mines, Rustenburg, Rustenburg Local Municipality, Bojanala Platinum District Municipality, North West, South Africa

View of the Rustenburg platinum mining area, in 1984.

Impala Platinum mines, Rustenburg, Rustenburg Local Municipality, Bojanala Platinum District Municipality, North West, South Africa

Location of shafts

Impala Platinum mines, Rustenburg, Rustenburg Local Municipality, Bojanala Platinum District Municipality, North West, South Africa

Latitude & Longitude (WGS84):

25° 32' 28'' South , 27° 11' 5'' East

Latitude & Longitude (decimal):

-25.54114,27.18478

GRN:

S18E18

Type:

Group of Mines

Köppen climate type:

Cwa : Monsoon-influenced humid subtropical climate

Nearest Settlements:

Place	Population	Distance
Maile	10,000 (2018)	14.7km
Rustenburg	124,064 (2012)	15.2km
Koster	12,126 (2012)	45.9km

Mindat Locality ID:

11952

Long-form identifier:

mindat:1:2:11952:3

GUID (UUID V4):

Located 14 km NNW of Rustenburg. A 16 shaft mining complex, underground & opencast mining of Merensky & UG2 Reefs.

Note: the two unknown species (of 2004) are found within the Merensky Reef.

Select Mineral List Type

Standard Detailed Gallery Strunz Chemical Elements

Commodity List

This is a list of exploitable or exploited mineral commodities recorded at this locality.

ⓘ Platinum

Mineral List

24 valid minerals.

Rock Types Recorded

Select Rock List Type

Alphabetical List Tree Diagram

Detailed Mineral List:

ⓘ 'Amphibole Supergroup'

Formula: AB₂C₅(T₈O₂₂)W₂

References:

Prichard, H. M., Barnes, S.-J., Maier, W. D., Fisher, P. C. (2004) Variations in the nature of the platinum-group minerals in a cross-section through the Merensky Reef at Impala Platinum: Implications for the mode of formation of the reef. The Canadian Mineralogist, 42 (2). 423-437 doi:10.2113/gscanmin.42.2.423

ⓘ Anorthite

Formula: Ca(Al₂Si₂O₈)

References:

Smith, William, Maier, Wolfgang, Barnes, Stephen, Moorhead, Gareth, Reid, David, Karykowski, Bartosz (2021) Element mapping the Merensky Reef of the Bushveld Complex. Geoscience Frontiers, 12 (3) 101101pp. doi:10.1016/j.gsf.2020.11.001

ⓘ Atokite

Formula: (Pd,Pt)₃Sn

References:

Cairncross, B., Dixon, R. (1995) Minerals of South Africa. Geological Society of South Africa. p.1-290.

ⓘ Braggite

Formula: PdPt₃S₄

References:

Cairncross, B., Dixon, R. (1995) Minerals of South Africa. Geological Society of South Africa. p.1-290.

ⓘ Chalcopyrite

Formula: CuFeS₂

References:

ⓘ 'Chlorite Group'

References:

ⓘ Chromite

Formula: Fe²⁺Cr³⁺₂O₄

References:

ⓘ 'Clinopyroxene Subgroup'

References:

ⓘ Cooperite

Formula: PtS

References:

Cairncross, B., Dixon, R. (1995) Minerals of South Africa. Geological Society of South Africa. p.1-290.

ⓘ Kotulskite

Formula: Pd(Te,Bi)_2-x (x ≈ 0.4)

References:

Bart Cannon, personal communication

ⓘ Laurite

Formula: RuS₂

Description: Identified in polished section as angular masses to .03 mm

References:

R.O. Meyer collection, identity confirmed by microprobe analysis

ⓘ Michenerite

Formula: PdBiTe

Description: Identified in polished section as a thin mass measuring .1 x .0025 mm.

References:

R.O. Meyer collection, identity confirmed by microprobe analysis

ⓘ Moncheite

Formula: Pt(Te,Bi)₂

Description: Identified in polished section as angular masses to .03 mm

References:

R.O. Meyer collection, identity confirmed by microprobe analysis

ⓘ Native Copper

Formula: Cu

References:

Department Mineral Resources and Energy Republic Of South Africa (2026) https://www.dmre.gov.za/mining-minerals-energy-policy-development/operating-mines

ⓘ Native Gold

Formula: Au

References:

Department Mineral Resources and Energy Republic Of South Africa (2026) https://www.dmre.gov.za/mining-minerals-energy-policy-development/operating-mines

ⓘ Native Nickel

Formula: Ni

References:

www.implats.co.za (2011) http://www.implats.co.za/implats/Impala-platinum.asp

ⓘ Native Palladium

Formula: (Pd,Pt)

References:

www.implats.co.za (2011) http://www.implats.co.za/implats/Impala-platinum.asp

ⓘ Native Platinum

Formula: Pt

References:

Mining Annual Review(1985):413.

www.implats.co.za (2011) http://www.implats.co.za/implats/Impala-platinum.asp

ⓘ Native Rhodium

Formula: (Rh,Pt)

References:

www.implats.co.za (2011) http://www.implats.co.za/implats/Impala-platinum.asp

ⓘ Native Silver

Formula: Ag

References:

Department Mineral Resources and Energy Republic Of South Africa (2026) https://www.dmre.gov.za/mining-minerals-energy-policy-development/operating-mines

ⓘ Niggliite

Formula: PtSn

References:

Cairncross, B., Dixon, R. (1995) Minerals of South Africa. Geological Society of South Africa. p.1-290.

ⓘ 'Orthopyroxene Subgroup'

References:

ⓘ Pentlandite

Formula: (Ni_xFe_y)_Σ9S₈

References:

ⓘ Phlogopite

Formula: KMg₃(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₂

References:

ⓘ 'Plagioclase'

Formula: (Na,Ca)[(Si,Al)AlSi₂]O₈

References:

ⓘ Pyrite

Formula: FeS₂

References:

ⓘ 'Pyroxene Group'

Formula: ADSi₂O₆

References:

ⓘ Pyrrhotite

Formula: Fe_1-xS

References:

ⓘ Quartz

Formula: SiO₂

References:

ⓘ Rustenburgite

Formula: (Pt,Pd)₃Sn

References:

Cairncross, B., Dixon, R. (1995) Minerals of South Africa. Geological Society of South Africa. p.1-290.p.239

ⓘ Sperrylite var. Platarsite

Formula: Pt(As,S)₂

References:

ⓘ 'UM2004-38-S:CoCuFeNiPtRh'

Formula: ~(Pt_1.00Cu_0.90Rh_0.46Co_0.28Fe_0.19Ni_0.15Ir_0.02)_Σ2.99S₄

References:

ⓘ 'UM2004-39-S:CoCuFePtRh'

Formula: ~(Fe_0.55Pt_0.11Cu_0.09Co_0.05Rh_0.04Ni_0.02)_Σ0.86S

References:

Gallery:

List of minerals arranged by Strunz 10th Edition classification

Group 1 - Elements
ⓘ	Native Copper	1.AA.05	Cu
ⓘ	Native Gold	1.AA.05	Au
ⓘ	Native Nickel	1.AA.05	Ni
ⓘ	Native Silver	1.AA.05	Ag
ⓘ	Native Palladium	1.AF.10	(Pd,Pt)
ⓘ	Native Platinum	1.AF.10	Pt
ⓘ	Native Rhodium	1.AF.10	(Rh,Pt)
ⓘ	Atokite	1.AG.10	(Pd,Pt)₃Sn
ⓘ	Rustenburgite	1.AG.10	(Pt,Pd)₃Sn
ⓘ	Niggliite	1.AG.60	PtSn
Group 2 - Sulphides and Sulfosalts
ⓘ	Pentlandite	2.BB.15	(Ni_xFe_y)_Σ9S₈
ⓘ	Chalcopyrite	2.CB.10a	CuFeS₂
ⓘ	Kotulskite	2.CC.05	Pd(Te,Bi)_2-x (x ≈ 0.4)
ⓘ	Pyrrhotite	2.CC.10	Fe_1-xS
ⓘ	Braggite	2.CC.35a	PdPt₃S₄
ⓘ	Cooperite	2.CC.35b	PtS
ⓘ	Moncheite	2.EA.20	Pt(Te,Bi)₂
ⓘ	Laurite	2.EB.05a	RuS₂
ⓘ	Pyrite	2.EB.05a	FeS₂
ⓘ	Michenerite	2.EB.25	PdBiTe
ⓘ	Sperrylite var. Platarsite	2.EB.25	Pt(As,S)₂
Group 4 - Oxides and Hydroxides
ⓘ	Chromite	4.BB.05	Fe²⁺Cr³⁺₂O₄
ⓘ	Quartz	4.DA.05	SiO₂
Group 9 - Silicates
ⓘ	Phlogopite	9.EC.20	KMg₃(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₂
ⓘ	Anorthite	9.FA.35	Ca(Al₂Si₂O₈)
Unclassified
ⓘ	'Amphibole Supergroup'	-	AB₂C₅(T₈O₂₂)W₂
ⓘ	'Chlorite Group'	-
ⓘ	'Clinopyroxene Subgroup'	-
ⓘ	'Plagioclase'	-	(Na,Ca)[(Si,Al)AlSi₂]O₈
ⓘ	'Pyroxene Group'	-	ADSi₂O₆
ⓘ	'Orthopyroxene Subgroup'	-
ⓘ	'UM2004-38-S:CoCuFeNiPtRh'	-	~(Pt_1.00Cu_0.90Rh_0.46Co_0.28Fe_0.19Ni_0.15Ir_0.02)_Σ2.99S₄
ⓘ	'UM2004-39-S:CoCuFePtRh'	-	~(Fe_0.55Pt_0.11Cu_0.09Co_0.05Rh_0.04Ni_0.02)_Σ0.86S

List of minerals for each chemical element

H	Hydrogen
H	ⓘ Phlogopite	KMg₃(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₂
O	Oxygen
O	ⓘ Amphibole Supergroup	AB₂C₅(T₈O₂₂)W₂
O	ⓘ Anorthite	Ca(Al₂Si₂O₈)
O	ⓘ Chromite	Fe²⁺Cr₂³⁺O₄
O	ⓘ Phlogopite	KMg₃(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₂
O	ⓘ Quartz	SiO₂
O	ⓘ Plagioclase	(Na,Ca)[(Si,Al)AlSi₂]O₈
O	ⓘ Pyroxene Group	ADSi₂O₆
Na	Sodium
Na	ⓘ Plagioclase	(Na,Ca)[(Si,Al)AlSi₂]O₈
Mg	Magnesium
Mg	ⓘ Phlogopite	KMg₃(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₂
Al	Aluminium
Al	ⓘ Anorthite	Ca(Al₂Si₂O₈)
Al	ⓘ Phlogopite	KMg₃(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₂
Al	ⓘ Plagioclase	(Na,Ca)[(Si,Al)AlSi₂]O₈
Si	Silicon
Si	ⓘ Anorthite	Ca(Al₂Si₂O₈)
Si	ⓘ Phlogopite	KMg₃(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₂
Si	ⓘ Quartz	SiO₂
Si	ⓘ Plagioclase	(Na,Ca)[(Si,Al)AlSi₂]O₈
Si	ⓘ Pyroxene Group	ADSi₂O₆
S	Sulfur
S	ⓘ Braggite	PdPt₃S₄
S	ⓘ Chalcopyrite	CuFeS₂
S	ⓘ Cooperite	PtS
S	ⓘ Laurite	RuS₂
S	ⓘ Pentlandite	(Ni_xFe_y)_Σ9S₈
S	ⓘ Sperrylite var. Platarsite	Pt(As,S)₂
S	ⓘ Pyrite	FeS₂
S	ⓘ Pyrrhotite	Fe_1-xS
S	ⓘ UM2004-38-S:CoCuFeNiPtRh	~(Pt_1.00Cu_0.90Rh_0.46Co_0.28Fe_0.19Ni_0.15Ir_0.02)_Σ2.99S₄
S	ⓘ UM2004-39-S:CoCuFePtRh	~(Fe_0.55Pt_0.11Cu_0.09Co_0.05Rh_0.04Ni_0.02)_Σ0.86S
K	Potassium
K	ⓘ Phlogopite	KMg₃(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₂
Ca	Calcium
Ca	ⓘ Anorthite	Ca(Al₂Si₂O₈)
Ca	ⓘ Plagioclase	(Na,Ca)[(Si,Al)AlSi₂]O₈
Cr	Chromium
Cr	ⓘ Chromite	Fe²⁺Cr₂³⁺O₄
Fe	Iron
Fe	ⓘ Chalcopyrite	CuFeS₂
Fe	ⓘ Chromite	Fe²⁺Cr₂³⁺O₄
Fe	ⓘ Pentlandite	(Ni_xFe_y)_Σ9S₈
Fe	ⓘ Pyrite	FeS₂
Fe	ⓘ Pyrrhotite	Fe_1-xS
Fe	ⓘ UM2004-38-S:CoCuFeNiPtRh	~(Pt_1.00Cu_0.90Rh_0.46Co_0.28Fe_0.19Ni_0.15Ir_0.02)_Σ2.99S₄
Fe	ⓘ UM2004-39-S:CoCuFePtRh	~(Fe_0.55Pt_0.11Cu_0.09Co_0.05Rh_0.04Ni_0.02)_Σ0.86S
Co	Cobalt
Co	ⓘ UM2004-38-S:CoCuFeNiPtRh	~(Pt_1.00Cu_0.90Rh_0.46Co_0.28Fe_0.19Ni_0.15Ir_0.02)_Σ2.99S₄
Co	ⓘ UM2004-39-S:CoCuFePtRh	~(Fe_0.55Pt_0.11Cu_0.09Co_0.05Rh_0.04Ni_0.02)_Σ0.86S
Ni	Nickel
Ni	ⓘ Native Nickel	Ni
Ni	ⓘ Pentlandite	(Ni_xFe_y)_Σ9S₈
Ni	ⓘ UM2004-38-S:CoCuFeNiPtRh	~(Pt_1.00Cu_0.90Rh_0.46Co_0.28Fe_0.19Ni_0.15Ir_0.02)_Σ2.99S₄
Ni	ⓘ UM2004-39-S:CoCuFePtRh	~(Fe_0.55Pt_0.11Cu_0.09Co_0.05Rh_0.04Ni_0.02)_Σ0.86S
Cu	Copper
Cu	ⓘ Chalcopyrite	CuFeS₂
Cu	ⓘ Native Copper	Cu
Cu	ⓘ UM2004-38-S:CoCuFeNiPtRh	~(Pt_1.00Cu_0.90Rh_0.46Co_0.28Fe_0.19Ni_0.15Ir_0.02)_Σ2.99S₄
Cu	ⓘ UM2004-39-S:CoCuFePtRh	~(Fe_0.55Pt_0.11Cu_0.09Co_0.05Rh_0.04Ni_0.02)_Σ0.86S
As	Arsenic
As	ⓘ Sperrylite var. Platarsite	Pt(As,S)₂
Ru	Ruthenium
Ru	ⓘ Laurite	RuS₂
Rh	Rhodium
Rh	ⓘ Native Rhodium	(Rh,Pt)
Rh	ⓘ UM2004-38-S:CoCuFeNiPtRh	~(Pt_1.00Cu_0.90Rh_0.46Co_0.28Fe_0.19Ni_0.15Ir_0.02)_Σ2.99S₄
Rh	ⓘ UM2004-39-S:CoCuFePtRh	~(Fe_0.55Pt_0.11Cu_0.09Co_0.05Rh_0.04Ni_0.02)_Σ0.86S
Pd	Palladium
Pd	ⓘ Atokite	(Pd,Pt)₃Sn
Pd	ⓘ Braggite	PdPt₃S₄
Pd	ⓘ Kotulskite	Pd(Te,Bi)_2-x (x ≈ 0.4)
Pd	ⓘ Michenerite	PdBiTe
Pd	ⓘ Native Palladium	(Pd,Pt)
Pd	ⓘ Rustenburgite	(Pt,Pd)₃Sn
Ag	Silver
Ag	ⓘ Native Silver	Ag
Sn	Tin
Sn	ⓘ Atokite	(Pd,Pt)₃Sn
Sn	ⓘ Niggliite	PtSn
Sn	ⓘ Rustenburgite	(Pt,Pd)₃Sn
Te	Tellurium
Te	ⓘ Kotulskite	Pd(Te,Bi)_2-x (x ≈ 0.4)
Te	ⓘ Michenerite	PdBiTe
Te	ⓘ Moncheite	Pt(Te,Bi)₂
Ir	Iridium
Ir	ⓘ UM2004-38-S:CoCuFeNiPtRh	~(Pt_1.00Cu_0.90Rh_0.46Co_0.28Fe_0.19Ni_0.15Ir_0.02)_Σ2.99S₄
Pt	Platinum
Pt	ⓘ Atokite	(Pd,Pt)₃Sn
Pt	ⓘ Braggite	PdPt₃S₄
Pt	ⓘ Cooperite	PtS
Pt	ⓘ Moncheite	Pt(Te,Bi)₂
Pt	ⓘ Niggliite	PtSn
Pt	ⓘ Native Palladium	(Pd,Pt)
Pt	ⓘ Sperrylite var. Platarsite	Pt(As,S)₂
Pt	ⓘ Native Platinum	Pt
Pt	ⓘ Native Rhodium	(Rh,Pt)
Pt	ⓘ Rustenburgite	(Pt,Pd)₃Sn
Pt	ⓘ UM2004-38-S:CoCuFeNiPtRh	~(Pt_1.00Cu_0.90Rh_0.46Co_0.28Fe_0.19Ni_0.15Ir_0.02)_Σ2.99S₄
Pt	ⓘ UM2004-39-S:CoCuFePtRh	~(Fe_0.55Pt_0.11Cu_0.09Co_0.05Rh_0.04Ni_0.02)_Σ0.86S
Au	Gold
Au	ⓘ Native Gold	Au
Bi	Bismuth
Bi	ⓘ Kotulskite	Pd(Te,Bi)_2-x (x ≈ 0.4)
Bi	ⓘ Michenerite	PdBiTe
Bi	ⓘ Moncheite	Pt(Te,Bi)₂

Other Regions, Features and Areas containing this locality

AfricaContinent

African PlateTectonic Plate

South Africa

Bushveld ComplexComplex
⭔TransvaalProvince

This page contains all mineral locality references listed on mindat.org. This does not claim to be a complete list. If you know of more minerals from this site, please register so you can add to our database. This locality information is for reference purposes only. You should never attempt to visit any sites listed in mindat.org without first ensuring that you have the permission of the land and/or mineral rights holders for access and that you are aware of all safety precautions necessary.

References

Mining Annual Review(1985):413.

Cairncross, B., Dixon, R. (1995) Minerals of South Africa. Geological Society of South Africa. p.1-290.

Barnes, S. J., and Maier, W.D., (2002) Platinum-group elements and microstructures of normal Merensky Reef from Impala platinum mines, Bushveld complex. Journal of Petrology: 43: 103-128.

Quick NavTop Commodities Mineral List Rock Types Other Regions References

Mindat.org® is an outreach project of the Hudson Institute of Mineralogy, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. Mindat® and mindat.org® are registered trademarks of the Hudson Institute of Mineralogy.
Copyright © mindat.org and the Hudson Institute of Mineralogy 1993-2026, except where stated. Most political location boundaries are © OpenStreetMap contributors. Mindat.org relies on the contributions of thousands of members and supporters. Founded in 2000 by Jolyon Ralph and Ida Chau.
Content on this site may not be used to train, fine-tune, or otherwise develop artificial intelligence or machine learning models without prior written permission - see our Terms & Conditions.
To cite: Ralph, J., Von Bargen, D., Martynov, P., Zhang, J., Que, X., Prabhu, A., Morrison, S. M., Li, W., Chen, W., & Ma, X. (2025). Mindat.org: The open access mineralogy database to accelerate data-intensive geoscience research. American Mineralogist, 110(6), 833–844. doi:10.2138/am-2024-9486.
Privacy Policy - Terms & Conditions - Contact Us / DMCA issues - Report a bug/vulnerability Current server date and time: September 4, 2026 04:04:02 Page updated: July 24, 2026 02:56:13

Go to top of page