Miner boosts recycling drive with US takeover

South African miner Sibanye-Stillwater has agreed to acquire US recycler of precious metals Metallix Refining for US$ 82 million (EUR 70 million).

Metallix has two processing and recycling operations in Greenville, North Carolina and boasts a global customer base. It has been operating for over 60 years recovering precious metals including gold, silver and platinum group metals primarily from industrial waste streams.

‘Urban mining’

Sibanye-Stillwater says acquiring Metallix complements its US recycling operations in Montana and Pennsylvania, adding processing capacity, proprietary technology and extensive knowledge and experience. The company says the deal increases its ability to source materials from multiple regions.

Sibanye-Stillwater ceo, Neal Froneman adds: ‘The scale, technology and know-how adds positively to our existing recycling operations and advances our urban mining strategy. We expect significant value uplift through the large number of synergies with our existing recycling operations.’

The transaction is expected to close during the third quarter of 2025, subject to receipt of relevant regulatory approvals.

Recycling growth

Sibanye-Stillwater is a multinational mining and metals processing group with a diverse portfolio across five continents. It is one of the world’s largest primary producers of platinum, palladium and rhodium. It also produces and refines gold, iridium and ruthenium, nickel, chrome, copper and cobalt.

The group has also diversified into battery metals mining and processing and has increased its presence in the circular economy by growing its recycling and tailings reprocessing exposure globally.