Manufacturing is the single largest economic sector in the Mpumalanga, contributing almost one quarter of the Gross Geographic Product (GGP) of the province, with almost two thirds of manufacturing production in the province taking place in the southern part of the highveld, most notably in the highveld ridge area where Sasol's coal mining, synthetic fuels and chemical operations at Secunda employ more than 15 000 people and contribute 12% to the provinces GGP (MII, 2003).

There are also large-scale manufacturing activities in the northern part of the highveld, particularly in the Middelburg-Witbank area, the most important being chrome alloy and steel manufacturing and this area contributes no less than 10 major steel and ferroalloy works. Manufacturing in the lowveld by comparison is dominated by the beneficiation of the area's agricultural and forestry raw materials and no less than 75% of manufacturing jobs are in the food and food related industries. Sugar mills, paper and pulp mills, sawmills, fruit and vegetable processors and board (plywood, particle, etc.) manufacturers are among the major manufacturing concerns in the lowveld (MII, 2003).

The expansion of the manufacturing sector is imminent with a number of economic opportunities being identified within the five major industrial clusters in Mpumalanga. These clusters include the stainless steel industry, chemical products, food processing, non-food related agricultural products and wood processing (MII, 2003).

Industries contribute to environmental change through air emissions, waste disposal and the use of resources. Although manufacturing processes can significantly impact on natural resources, they simultaneously provide social support and upliftment through the provision of employment opportunities and other social benefits.

General negative environmental impacts associated with industrial and manufacturing processes include consumption and use of raw materials and water during manufacturing processes, air and water pollution, the production of waste products resulting from such industrial and manufacturing processes, and noise and visual impacts. Apart from the products produced for consumers by these industries, the most common positive benefits usually arising from this sector include employment and job creation, the transfer and enhancement of skills, the economic benefits of such industry and their contribution to the local economy, as well as the benefits resulting from secondary industries, businesses and services that may have developed in support of these industries.