Lonmin
Former British mining company that produced platinum-group metals from South Africa’s Bushveld Complex.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
Lonmin plc was a British mining company whose principal business was the extraction and processing of platinum-group metals in South Africa. The company operated chiefly in the Bushveld Complex, one of the world’s major geological regions for platinum, palladium, rhodium and related minerals. Its registered office was in London, while its operational center was in Johannesburg and its principal mines were located around Marikana in the North West province and in Limpopo. The business originated in 1909 as the London and Rhodesian Mining and Land Company Limited, a company established with modest founding capital to invest in mining rights in Rhodesia. It later became known as Lonrho and developed into a large, diversified African conglomerate. Under chief executive Tiny Rowland, appointed in 1962, Lonrho expanded into mining, agriculture, media and other activities. Its history brought sustained political and media attention, including controversy related to trade with Rhodesia during the period of international sanctions and several highly publicized corporate takeover battles. At its peak in the late 1970s, the wider Lonrho group employed approximately 140,000 people worldwide. Lonrho acquired Ghanaian gold producer Ashanti Goldfields Corporation in 1968 and later entered the British newspaper sector through ownership of The Observer and Today. During the early 1990s, a boardroom struggle resulted in Rowland’s removal. In 1998, the group’s assets were divided between separately listed entities, with the company retaining non-African businesses and mining interests. In 1999, Lonrho plc changed its name to Lonmin plc, reflecting a strategic move toward a more focused mining identity. Lonmin’s modern business was centered on mechanized and conventional underground mining, concentrating, smelting and refining of platinum-group metals. Brad Mills, chief executive from 2004, promoted mechanization as a way to improve productivity and mine safety. Ian Farmer succeeded him in 2008, but resigned as chief executive in 2012 for health reasons. Lonmin also became the subject of takeover interest from Xstrata, which accumulated a 24.9 percent stake but abandoned its proposed acquisition during the 2008 financial crisis. That stake later passed to Glencore following Glencore’s acquisition of Xstrata and was subsequently distributed to Glencore shareholders. Lonmin became internationally known after the Marikana labor conflict in August 2012. Thousands of workers at its Marikana operations stopped work amid wage disputes and tensions involving rival unions. On 16 August, South African police opened fire on striking workers gathered at a hilltop near the mine, killing 34 people and injuring 78. The event, widely called the Marikana massacre, became one of the most serious post-apartheid human-rights and labor controversies in South Africa. Subsequent investigations and public hearings examined police conduct, the company’s engagement with workers, union rivalry, housing and labor conditions, and communications involving Lonmin management and political figures. A second major labor dispute occurred in 2014, when thousands of platinum workers, including Lonmin employees, participated in a prolonged strike demanding a basic wage of R12,500 per month. The strike ended after a three-year settlement that provided staged wage increases and established minimum basic-pay thresholds for the lowest-paid workers. Lonmin later faced criticism from South African civil-society and community organizations over alleged failures to meet commitments in its social and labor plan. On 10 June 2019, Sibanye-Stillwater completed its acquisition of Lonmin. The Lonmin corporate entity and its separate stock-market identity consequently ceased to operate as an independent listed mining company.
History
Lonmin traces its origins to 13 May 1909, when the London and Rhodesian Mining and Land Company Limited was incorporated in the United Kingdom. The company began with capital raised by seven shareholders and initially concentrated on mining rights in Rhodesia. It expanded into agricultural land during the following years and by 1945 had become one of Rhodesia’s largest companies. The business became known as Lonrho and entered a period of broad diversification after Tiny Rowland became chief executive in 1962. Lonrho invested in African mining and agriculture, acquired Ashanti Goldfields Corporation of Ghana in 1968, and developed interests outside the extractive sector. It also became involved in British media, purchasing The Observer in 1981 and launching the daily newspaper Today in 1986. Today was sold to News International in 1987, while The Observer was sold to the Guardian Media Group in 1993. Lonrho’s political profile was heightened by its activities in southern Africa. The company was embroiled in controversy over alleged sanctions-busting trade involving Rhodesia. The matter attracted parliamentary criticism in the United Kingdom, including a 1973 description of Lonrho by Prime Minister Edward Heath as representing an “unpleasant and unacceptable face of capitalism.” The company was also involved in prominent takeover battles, including efforts associated with the Harrods department store. By 1979, the broader Lonrho group reportedly employed about 140,000 people worldwide. Rowland was removed in October 1993 after a boardroom conflict with director Dieter Bock. Nick Morrell, formerly associated with The Observer, replaced him. In 1998, shortly before Rowland’s death, Lonrho’s assets were divided into two listed companies: Lonrho plc, which retained non-African businesses and mining assets, and Lonrho Africa plc. In 1999, Lonrho plc adopted the name Lonmin plc and began operating as a more focused mining company. During the 2000s, Lonmin concentrated on platinum-group-metal production in South Africa’s Bushveld Complex. Gordon Haslem became chief executive in 2000, followed by Brad Mills in 2004. Mills promoted mechanized mining, presenting it as a means of improving safety and productivity. He announced his intention to leave in 2008, and Ian Farmer, previously the company’s chief strategic officer, succeeded him. Lonmin was the subject of a proposed takeover by Xstrata. After accumulating a 24.9 percent holding, Xstrata proposed an offer valued at £33 per Lonmin share but abandoned the bid on 1 October 2008, citing exceptional financial-market uncertainty during the global financial crisis. Xstrata’s stake later passed to Glencore when Glencore acquired Xstrata in 2013. Glencore announced in 2015 that it intended to distribute its Lonmin holding to its own shareholders. The company’s most consequential event was the Marikana labor conflict of 2012. Workers at Lonmin’s Marikana platinum operations stopped work on 10 August after disputes over representation, wages and working conditions. Violence and tension escalated amid conflict involving the National Union of Mineworkers and other worker organizations. On 16 August, police moved against striking workers gathered at a hill known locally as a koppie. Thirty-four workers were killed and 78 injured. The shooting generated national and international condemnation and led to a commission of inquiry and extensive scrutiny of police tactics, Lonmin’s labor relations, mine housing, union rivalry and communications between company executives, political actors and government officials. In 2014, Lonmin employees were again involved in a major platinum-sector strike. Workers demanded a basic salary of R12,500 per month, excluding certain living-out allowances. The strike ended after a three-year agreement that increased the lowest-paid workers’ basic pay in stages and set a minimum basic salary of R8,000 for platinum workers. In 2017, community and civil-society organizations alleged that Lonmin had failed to fulfill parts of its social and labor plan for 2014–2018 and called for regulatory action. Sibanye-Stillwater completed its acquisition of Lonmin on 10 June 2019, bringing the company’s independent corporate and stock-market history to an end.
- 2019
Sibanye-Stillwater completes acquisition
[1]Sibanye-Stillwater completed its acquisition of Lonmin on 10 June.
- 2014
Three-year settlement ends platinum strike
[1]A prolonged strike ended with staged wage increases and minimum-pay provisions for lower-paid platinum workers.
- 2012
Marikana massacre
[1]Police killed 34 striking Lonmin workers and wounded 78 others at Marikana on 16 August.
- 2008
Xstrata abandons proposed takeover
[1]Xstrata ended its proposed £33-per-share acquisition after building a 24.9 percent stake, citing financial-market uncertainty.
- 1999
Lonrho plc renamed Lonmin plc
[1]The company adopted the Lonmin name as it moved toward a focused mining strategy.
- 1998
Lonrho assets divided
[1]The group was separated into Lonrho plc and Lonrho Africa plc, with mining assets retained by Lonrho plc.
- 1993
Rowland removed after boardroom conflict
[1]Tiny Rowland left Lonrho following a boardroom struggle, and Nick Morrell became chief executive.
- 1968
Acquisition of Ashanti Goldfields Corporation
[1]Lonrho acquired the Ghanaian gold-mining company Ashanti Goldfields Corporation.
- 1962
Tiny Rowland becomes chief executive
[1]Rowland’s appointment began a long period of expansion and diversification under the Lonrho name.
- 1909
Company incorporated as London and Rhodesian Mining and Land Company
[1]The original company was incorporated in the United Kingdom on 13 May 1909 to pursue mining rights in Rhodesia.
Products and positioning
A specialized platinum-group-metals producer operating in South Africa’s Bushveld Complex.
Platinum-group metal
Platinum
Platinum was Lonmin’s principal product and the core output of its South African mining and processing operations. The company extracted platinum-bearing ore from the Bushveld Complex, then processed concentrates and refined metal for industrial, chemical, automotive and jewelry-related markets.
Platinum-group metal
Palladium
Palladium was recovered as a companion platinum-group metal from Lonmin’s ore bodies. Its commercial value came from demand in industrial applications, including emissions-control technologies and chemical processes.
Platinum-group metal
Rhodium
Rhodium formed part of Lonmin’s broader platinum-group-metal production stream. It was produced alongside platinum and palladium during the concentration and refining of ore from the Bushveld Complex.
Controversies
2017
Alleged social and labor-plan non-compliance
Community and mining organizations alleged that Lonmin had not fulfilled parts of its social and labor plan covering 2014–2018 and sought suspension of its operating license.
2012
Marikana massacre and labor-relations controversy
The deaths of 34 striking Lonmin workers and injuries to 78 others during a police operation at Marikana prompted a commission of inquiry and examination of police conduct, Lonmin’s worker engagement, union conflict, housing conditions and communications with political figures.
1973
Rhodesian sanctions controversy
Lonrho became embroiled in controversy over alleged sanctions-busting trade involving Rhodesia. The issue led to intense political criticism in the United Kingdom and increased scrutiny of the company’s activities in southern Africa.
Brand decisions
2019
Acquisition by Sibanye-StillwaterM&ABackground
Lonmin remained a major South African platinum-group-metals producer but faced a changing industry and the need for a corporate transaction.
Action taken
Sibanye-Stillwater completed its acquisition of Lonmin on 10 June 2019.
Aftermath
Lonmin ceased to operate as an independent listed company and its assets became part of Sibanye-Stillwater.
2014
Settle prolonged platinum-sector wage strikeStrategyBackground
Lonmin employees and workers at other South African platinum producers demanded a basic monthly salary of R12,500.
Action taken
The mine owners and union representatives agreed to a three-year settlement with staged increases for the lowest-paid workers and a minimum basic salary of R8,000 for platinum workers.
Aftermath
The agreement ended the strike in late June 2014 but did not eliminate broader disputes over wages, representation and working conditions.
Monthly wage increase for lowest-paid workers. R1,000 per month for two years and R950 per month in the third year (Three-year settlement beginning 2014)
2008
Xstrata withdraws proposed takeoverM&ABackground
Xstrata had built a 24.9 percent stake and proposed acquiring Lonmin at £33 per share during a period of severe financial-market instability.
Action taken
Xstrata abandoned the takeover proposal on 1 October 2008, citing unprecedented uncertainty in financial markets.
Aftermath
Xstrata retained its stake for several years; the holding later passed to Glencore and was subsequently distributed to Glencore shareholders.
Proposed offer price per Lonmin share. £33 proposed offer (2008)
- Xstrata — Xstrata withdrew its proposed acquisition, attributing the decision to financial-market uncertainty.
1999
Rebrand as a focused mining companyStrategyBackground
Following the 1998 separation of Lonrho’s assets, the retained mining company needed a more focused corporate identity.
Action taken
Lonrho plc changed its name to Lonmin plc and emphasized mining, particularly platinum-group metals.
Aftermath
The change marked the transition from a diversified conglomerate identity to a specialist mining business.
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