Our history
Founded in 1928, Assore has evolved into a diversified group operating across various geographies, products and projects.
Years of operation
Global locations
Total operational staff in FY25
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
2025
On 28 January 2025, Assore acquired a 31% interest in Arvo Lithium, a lithium exploration company in Finland.
2025
Ore & Metal Chrome JV Pte. Ltd. was established in Singapore in April 2025 between Ore & Metal Asia (60%) and Asia Steel & Metal (40%).
2025
In mid‑2025, Assore International Holdings became the majority shareholder in Sakura Ferroalloys (52.3%).
2025
Assore SA PropCo acquired the former Cato Ridge Works land for redevelopment through Insimbi Ridge, launched in November 2025.
