Our history

Founded in 1928, Assore has evolved into a diversified group operating across various geographies, products and projects.

97

Years of operation

15+

Global locations

12200+

Total operational staff in FY24

1928

Gloucester Manganese Mines (Postmasburg) Limited established by Guido Sacco

1930

Ore & Metal Company Limited (Ore & Metal) was established

1931

African Mining and Trust Company Limited (AMT) was established

1935

AMT partnered with Anglo Transvaal Consolidated Investment Company Limited (Anglovaal), now African Rainbow Minerals (ARM), to form Assmang

1935

Assore acquired Wonderstone Mine in the North-west province

1940

Manganese mining operations began at Black Rock Mine in the Northern Cape

1950

Assore was listed on the JSE as Associated Ore & Metal Corporation Limited

1959

Assmang commenced the production of ferromanganese at Cato Ridge Works in Kwa-Zulu Natal

1960

Assmang began iron ore mining operations for export at Beeshoek Mine in the Northern Cape

1961

Assore established an agency relationship with Sumitomo Corporation of Japan

1973

The Nchwaning I Manganese Ore Mine was commissioned

1979

Gloria Manganese Ore Mine was established

1981

Second shaft at Nchwaning Mine came into production, forming Nchwaning II

1992

Mr Guido Sacco appointed as the President and Mr Desmond Sacco appointed as the Chairman

1996

Assmang refined ferromanganese at Cato Ridge Alloys (CRA)

1997

Beeshoek South Mine expansion was commissioned

1998

The Associated Ore & Metal Corporation Limited was renamed Assore Limited

1999

Assmang commissioned Dwarsrivier Chrome Mine

2002

Nchwaning III was commissioned.

2004

Assmang’s Khumani Iron Ore Mine was established.

2006

Assore acquired minorities in Assmang and finalised a 50/50 joint venture agreement with ARM.

2009

Approval of the Khumani Iron Ore Mine expansion project to increase design capacity of iron ore output

2012

26.1% BEE control, following the conclusion of the third empowerment transaction (now Assore South Africa)

2014

The construction of Sakura Ferroalloys commenced.

2015

Investment in Iron Ridge Resources (now Atlantic Lithium)

2016

Assore acquired the remaining 50% of Dwarsrivier Chrome Mine from Assmang. Commissioning of first Ferromanganese Furnace at Sakura Ferroalloys.

2017

A second furnace was added at Sakura Ferroalloys by Assmang.

2019

Conclusion of the disposals of Machadodorp Works (by Assmang).

2020

Assore was delisted from the JSE on May 26. Incorporation of Assore International Holdings Limited (AIH)

2021

Assore invested in Gemfields, acquired Minmet, and increased its holdings in Minerais US LLC

2022

Ore & Metal International UK was incorporated on 8 April 2022. Assore invested in Vision Blue Resources (VBR)

2024

Establishment of Ore & Metal Singapore, a JV with Sumitomo Corporation