About Us

DMS Powders
About Us
DMS Powders business started as part of Amcor in 1949 with the production of Milled Ferrosilicon (FeSi) for use in Dense Medium Separation in the extraction of diamonds. In the 1950’s the production facilities were relocated to the current site near Meyerton. Atomised production commenced in 1967. In 1975 Amcor merged with SA Manganese to form Samancor. A stand alone business entity was created in 2000 with the formation of DMS Powders, a division of Samancor.
After the sale of DMS Powders in April 2006 to a consortium of investors led by Siyanda Inkwali an independent company Dense Medium Separation Powders (Pty) Ltd was established. Gxakra Investments Proprietary Limited(“GI”) consortium has acquired the entire Siyanda Inkwali issued share Capital of DMS Powders in October 2021.
DMS Powders continues to be the world's leading producer and marketer of ferrosilicon powders for DMS applications. We maintain our leadership by investing continuously in our production facilities, our employees and ongoing research and development. DMS Powders maintains and builds key relationships with its customers and industry relevant businesses by hosting regular technical symposium.
Technology:
Dense Medium Separation
DMS Powders produces ferrosilicon in a wide range of grades, with different physical attributes.
These attributes determine the properties of the suspension once the powder is mixed with water. Although the properties are interrelated, they can be summarised as:
- Density: Medium density is controlled by the proportion of ferrosilicon solids present in the medium, and is the main variable enabling the operator to control separation.
- Viscosity: This is the measure of medium’s resistance to flow, and is determined by the concentration, shape and size distribution of the solids making up the medium.
- Stability: The measure of medium stability is the reciprocal of the rate at which medium solids settle out under gravity.
Different types of dense medium separation processes and the nature of the required separation necessitates careful selection of the right ferrosilicon grade, as the grade determines its in-circuit behaviour.

DMS Powders
What We Stand For
- Profitably maintain our core business through excellence in production, distribution and marketing.
- Develop and enhance global alliances and external relationships to secure optimal market knowledge and increase strategic and operational flexibility.
- Empower employees with knowledge and resources to act in accordance with core values.
- Create industry benefit by providing opportunities for shared technical knowledge and skills.
- Actively manage and build our portfolio of high-quality assets and services.
- Continue the drive towards a high-performance organisation, in which every individual accepts responsibility and is rewarded for results.
- Earn the trust of employees, customers, suppliers, communities and shareholders by being forthright in our communications and consistently delivering on commitments.
- Ethics: Uncompromising honesty, integrity, trust and reliability in our dealings with each other.
- Excellence: Setting high standards in every aspect of business and continuously striving to outperform them.
- Prosperity: Pursuance of productivity and effectiveness to create a fair value proposition for shareholders, customers, employees and suppliers.
- Sustainability: An overriding commitment to safety, environmental responsibility and sustainable development.

OUR STRATEGY
Our Mission Elements
Profitably maintain our core business through excellence in production, distribution and marketing. Develop and enhance global alliances and external relationships to secure optimal market knowledge and increase strategic and operational flexibility. Empower employees with knowledge and resources to act in accordance with core values. Create industry benefit by providing opportunities for shared technical knowledge and skills. Actively manage and build our portfolio of high-quality assets and services. Continue the drive towards a high-performance organisation, in which every individual accepts responsibility and is rewarded for results. Earn the trust of employees, customers, suppliers, communities and shareholders by being forthright in our communications and consistently delivering on commitments.