The economy of Matjhabeng can be divided into three main categories i.e. primary, secondary and tertiary sectors. The current statistics shows that the economies of Welkom 53%, Odendalsrus 38% and Virginia 78% are dominated by mining, whilst Henneman is dominated by manufacturing 41%, agriculture 17%, trade 10% and finance 10%. The total area percentages show a combined figure of 58% dominance by the mining sector.

In relation to the Matjhabeng Local Municipality the following must be noted:

• About 72% of the Lejweleputswa district’s economic output is generated in the Matjhabeng Local Municipality.
• The relative contributions from the Matjhabeng and Masilonyana Local Municipalities have decreased since 1996. The main reason for the decreases in these two municipalities is the overall decline of the mining industry.

Regarding the sectoral contributions, the following must be noted:

• More than 98% of mining takes place in MLM and Masilonyana
• Nearly 85% of all manufacturing output is produced in the Matjhabeng Local Municipality. .
• Matjhabeng is also the main contributing area to the economic output for the other sectors – ranging between 75% and 85% of the economic output.
• Over 65% of agricultural output in the Lejweleputswa District comes from Tswelopele and Nala.